Gladness Gideon
In a historic development for the Roman Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost was elected on Thursday as the 267th pope, becoming the first pontiff from the United States. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement came from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica following the traditional white smoke that rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling a successful conclusion to the conclave on its second day. Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal originally from Chicago, is widely regarded as a theological moderate and a trusted ally of Pope Francis.
Prior to his election, Pope Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and had previously spent years as a missionary in Peru, where he earned praise for his pastoral outreach and commitment to indigenous communities. His election reflects the global nature of the Church and may signal a continued emphasis on inclusivity, social justice, and clerical reform.
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Addressing the faithful from the balcony in his first public appearance as pope, Leo XIV offered a prayer and called for unity. “Let us walk together as one Church, caring for the vulnerable and building peace in our world,” he said.
Thousands of pilgrims and Vatican watchers gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers as he emerged in the white papal vestments, waving warmly to the crowd.
Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, whose resignation due to health reasons marked only the second voluntary papal abdication in over six centuries. His election ushers in a new era, and observers are closely watching to see how he will guide the Church through modern challenges, including secularization, geopolitical instability, and calls for institutional transparency.