Senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church recently gathered in Rome to elect a new leader. The two-day conclave ended at 6:07 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, when white-smoke arose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new Pope. Robert Francis Prevost, Cardinal of Chicago and prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was elected Pope Leo XIV. This is the first time anyone from the United States, and only the second time someone from the Americas, has been elected (Photo Credit: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk).
Prevost has been referred to as “an outside insider” by Time Magazine and “the least American of the Americans” by La Repubblica.
The College of Cardinals met following the death of Pope Francis, 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas. Francis, or Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at the age of 88 from a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiac arrest. His death occurred on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter, when the church celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Elected in 2013 as the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European in over 1,200 years, Francis was known for his humility, nuanced stances on social issues, and focus on mercy, environmental stewardship and outreach to the marginalized. His decade-long papacy marked a transformative era for the Church.
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Pope Leo XIV inherits the role of shepherd of the Catholic Church during a time when the Church faces many challenges. Externally, the Church faces a complex geopolitical landscape, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, issues surrounding global migration and more. Internally, the Church faces declining attendance, particularly in Europe, a significant Vatican budget shortfall, debates over the social stances of the Church, past scandals and much more.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first public address from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City shortly after his election as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. In his inaugural message, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with the words, “Peace be with you,” emphasizing unity and compassion.
“What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” said U.S. President Donald Trump upon hearing that a new Pope had been elected. “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment.”
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