Chicago native Robert Prevost elected first American pontiff as Pope Leo XIV

John Phillips
|
8 May 2025
John Phillips
8 May 2025
Pope Leo XIV appears on St Peter's Basilica

  VATICAN CITY -- American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV after a conclave of cardinals climaxed on the fourth ballot. The first words of the first American pope as Holy Father were in Italian: “Peace be with all of you!” 

  Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old new pontiff is a member of the Augustinian order who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential roles in the church, where he oversaw the selection of bishops worldwide. Before his time in Rome, he served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, and played a key role in strengthening church leadership across Latin America. His family is of French and spanish origins and he is also an honorary citizen of Peru.

  Pope Leo in his remarks to the crowd indicated that he would follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis in working for an inclusive Church.

 "We have to try together to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and dialogue, always open to receive, like in this piazza, with arms open, everyone, everyone who needs our charity, our presence, dialogue, love," Leo said.

 In his speech, the first ever read from a prepared text by a new pope, he also paid tribute to the memory of Pope Francis. 
 "I remember his blessing on Easter Day -- God loves you all and evil will not prevail. Hand in hand with God we will go forward, we are disciples of Christ. The world needs his light." 
 
 Some 45,000 people gathered in St Peter's square burst into applause as white smoke belched out of the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. and minutes later the great bells of St. Peter's rang out confirming the news of the election of a new pontiff, which required a majority of at least 89 of the 133 voters. The election took place 17 days after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

 After the bells went silent a band from the Vatican Gendarmerie marched into the square through the throng of the faithful playing the Vatican national anthem followed by a platoon of pantalooned Swiss Guard from the pope's private army of mercenaries. 

 During the suspense before the new pope appeared another band from the Italian paramilitary Carabinieri strutted through the square and played the Italian national anthem,

 Cardinal Dominique Mambert the Vatican proto dean then appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica and announced "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!" (I announce to you with great joy -- we have a pope).

 The new pope was elected quicker than Pope Francis who needed five votes before he received a two thirds majority in the conclave of 2013.

 jp

 

Rome
Embassy Row
Vatican

 © COPYRIGHT ITALIAN INSIDER
UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION FORBIDDEN