Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the first American to head the Catholic Church and the 266th successor of St Peter. The new pope will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
The identity of the new pontiff was announced shortl after White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling that cardinals sequestered inside had reached a decision on the second day of their conclave.
That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
Despite a larger group of voting cardinals, many of whom did not know each other, the vote did not take long, as some had anticipated.
The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers. The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus papam!” Latin for “We have a pope!” from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The cardinal then reads the winner’s birth name in Latin, and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
A longstanding tradition is that Popes change their names from their baptismal name, though it hasn’t always been the case, especially in the first centuries of Christianity.
Popes have often chosen the names of their immediate or distant predecessors out of respect, admiration, or recognition to mark continuity, but also different names to mark innovation.
The first act of the new Pope, immediately after accepting his canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and before fulfilling other obligations, is the choice of his name.
The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
Based on what happened when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, it will probably take at least an hour before the designated cardinal appears on a balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce, in Latin, “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam” — “I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope.”
For Catholics, the big question is whether the next pope’s views will be aligned with the late Pope Francis’ more progressive beliefs or the new leader will adhere to a more traditionalist doctrine.
Leading a church with more than 1.4 billion global members extends beyond the faithful, and the pope is a critical player in the secular power balance.
The cardinals reached their decision after being in conclave for a little more than 24 hours, and after several rounds of voting. The group of 133 cardinals, the most ever to gather in a conclave, included many who were appointed by Francis and some who did not know one another.
That had made reaching a quick consensus a serious challenge, given the broad group of contenders and the splits among them about the future of the church.
Before his election as the 267th Bishop of Rome, the Pope served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (since 2023) and previously as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
His philosophy and theological outlook are shaped by his Augustinian formation, pastoral experience, and commitment to the Church’s missionary and synodal dimensions.
Pope Leo XIV represents a pastorally progressive but doctrinally conservative approach, aligning with Pope Francis’ vision of a missionary, inclusive, yet doctrinally firm Church.
His leadership in the Dicastery for Bishops will significantly influence future episcopal appointments, shaping the Church’s direction on key issues.
His Augustinian background suggests a preference for unity over division, likely supporting Pope Francis’ efforts to regulate the Traditional Latin Mass while encouraging reconciliation with traditionalist groups.
Given his role in selecting bishops, Pope Leo XIV is likely focused on ensuring accountability, transparency, and pastoral competence in episcopal appointments.
Pope Leo XIV has not publicly advocated for women’s ordination, which the Church rejects, but he may be open to expanding women’s roles in governance and ministry in non-sacramental ways.
He is also likely to uphold the Vatican’s declaration permitting non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples but with clear boundaries to avoid confusion with sacramental marriage.