The Vatican has a new pope. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday evening.
The Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Lord Robert Francis, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost who has taken the name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pope of the church
Crowds in St Peter’s Square cheered and clapped. The bells rang loud. That’s how people knew the decision was final.
“Habemus Papam!” — “We have a pope!” — will be the official announcement from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
I announce to you a great joy;
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 8, 2025
we have a Pope:
The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord,
Lord Robert Francis
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost
who has taken the name Leo XIV.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announces that the Cardinals have elected Cardinal Robert… pic.twitter.com/u3lDDlk1L4
The new pope will appear in white robes. He will wave, smile, and give his first blessing — the “Urbi et Orbi” — meaning “To the City and the World.”
He replaces Pope Francis, who died last month after 12 years in office.
Cardinals Voted in Secret
A total of 133 cardinals were locked inside the Sistine Chapel since Wednesday. They voted in secret.
The only clue for the outside world came from smoke signals.
Black smoke earlier in the day meant no agreement.
But at 6pm local time on Thursday, the smoke turned white. That was the sign.
The cardinals had chosen the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
Now, the new leader is preparing for the next steps.
He first enters the “Room of Tears.” That’s where new popes often cry from emotion before dressing in papal robes for the first time.
He’ll then return to the chapel. The cardinals will pledge their loyalty to him.
Church Faces Many Problems
The new pope has a tough job, leading 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide during a time of war and deep division.
He must deal with old issues too — including the Church’s finances and the sexual abuse crisis.
There are fewer priests now. Churches in the West are less full. But the Church is growing in places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“The pope must guide us through this hard time,” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said.
Re is the dean of the College of Cardinals. He urged the voters to choose someone strong and wise.
The new pope should hold a big mass soon. He’ll speak in front of world leaders and Church officials. Then, he’ll take a ride in the popemobile around St Peter’s Square.
About New Pope LEO XIV
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., is an American-born prelate who has recently been elected as the new Pope, becoming the first American to hold this position in the history of the Catholic Church. 
Early Life and Education
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost comes from a family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Villanova University and later earned a Master of Divinity from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He also holds a Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.  
Religious Life and Missionary Work
In 1977, Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) and made his solemn vows in 1981. He was ordained a priest in 1982. His missionary journey took him to Peru in 1985, where he served in various capacities, including as chancellor of the Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas and later as director of formation and professor in Trujillo. His deep connection with Peru led to his naturalization as a Peruvian citizen in 2015.   
Leadership Roles
Prevost’s leadership within the Church is notable. He served as the Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and subsequently as its bishop in 2015. His tenure in Peru was marked by pastoral care and administrative leadership.   
Vatican Appointment and Cardinalate
In January 2023, Prevost was appointed by Pope Francis as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a significant role responsible for overseeing the selection of bishops worldwide. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in September 2023, receiving the title of Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Monica. 
Election as Pope
On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Prevost was elected as the new Pope, marking a historic moment as the first American to ascend to the papacy. His election reflects his extensive experience, cross-cultural pastoral work, and alignment with the vision of Pope Francis. 
Pope Prevost is known for his humility, missionary zeal, and commitment to serving marginalized communities, embodying the qualities of servant leadership.
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