VATICAN CITY (Kashmir English): Cardinal Robert Prevost, a little-known missionary from Chicago, became the first U.S. pope Thursday as he was elected new leader of the Catholic Church in a surprise choice.
He took the name Leo XIV. He appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after white smoke had billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
“Peace be with you all,” the newly-elected pope told the cheering crowd, speaking in fluent Italian.
He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address but did not say anything in English.
Prevost, 69, is originally from Chicago and has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru.
He has dual Peruvian nationality. He became a cardinal only in 2023.
US President Donald Trump swiftly congratulated Prevost on being elected the first U.S. pope. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
267th Catholic Pope
Robert Prevost becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death of Pope Francis last month. He was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years.
Prevost had not been seen as a frontrunner and there was a brief moment of silence when his name was announced to the packed St. Peter’s Square, before people started to clap and cheer.
Pope Leo graduated from the school in 1982 with a master’s degree.
The name LEO
The last pope to take the name Leo led the Church from 1878-1903. Leo XIII was known for his devoted focus to social justice issues.
