Article by Michelle Delaney, South Lake Tablet
In a moment steeped in tradition and history, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the College of Cardinals had elected a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native and naturalized Peruvian citizen, has been named the 268th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
At age 69, Pope Leo XIV becomes the first U.S.-born pope ever elected by the conclave. The decision came after just two days of deliberations, as 133 cardinals worked to reach the required two-thirds majority to elect the next spiritual leader for over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV spent much of his priesthood in Peru, where he served both as a missionary and later as an archbishop, earning dual citizenship and deep admiration for his decades of pastoral and community work in Latin America. His diverse background reflects the global nature of the Church and the increasingly international perspective of its leadership.
The swift election indicates a strong sense of unity among the cardinals in choosing a leader they believe is prepared to guide the Church through modern challenges while staying rooted in faith and tradition.
As bells rang across Rome and crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, faithful around the world looked on in hope and prayer for the new pontiff. Pope Leo XIV is expected to address the faithful in the coming days and outline his vision for the future of the Church.
Photos courtesy of ABC news
