New Pope Update: American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Thursday as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He becomes the 267th pontiff and the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
The decision came after a two-day conclave held inside the Vatican, where 133 cardinals from around the world gathered in seclusion to choose the next spiritual leader of the Church’s 1.4 billion members.
Pope Leo XIV is now the first American-born pope in history, marking a significant moment for the Church, which has traditionally seen European leaders ascend to the papacy.
His election signals a possible shift in direction for the Vatican, as the Church grapples with modern challenges, global conflicts, and internal calls for reform.
The conclave took place under the centuries-old traditions of the Catholic Church, with cardinals casting secret ballots inside the Sistine Chapel until a candidate secured the required two-thirds majority.
Black smoke billowed after the initial round of votes, signaling no decision had been made, but white smoke appeared Thursday, followed by the announcement of “Habemus Papam” — Latin for “We have a pope.”
Prevost, who had served in