Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (69) was elected as the 267th pope. His papal name is Leo XIV, making him the first pope from the United States.
According to reports from The Guardian and others on the 8th (local time), Pope Leo XIV was elected just two days after the conclave (a secret meeting of cardinals) convened and on the fourth ballot.
Pope Leo XIV came out onto the 'balcony of blessing' at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and delivered his first words in Italian, saying, "May peace be with you all."
Pope Leo XIV was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. He was ordained a priest in 1982. Although he holds American citizenship, he worked as a missionary in Peru for 20 years and was appointed Archbishop of Peru after acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015. His involvement in impoverished areas is believed to have played a significant role in his election as pope.
Pope Leo XIV is considered a close associate of Pope Francis. He was appointed as the Minister overseeing the selection of new bishops in 2023 and led a reform initiative by including three women in the voting body that determines the list of bishop candidates for the first time. However, Pope Leo XIV is theologically moderate, which is believed to allow him to encompass both reformist and conservative factions within the church.
Pope Leo XIV is known to be fluent in English as well as Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French.
The new pope was elected 17 days after Pope Francis passed away on the 21st of last month. The official inauguration ceremony is expected to take place within a few days.