10
Loading video...
By Gabe Whisnant
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost—a missionary-turned-Vatican official who spent much of his career ministering in Peru—was elected the first American pope in the Church's 2,000-year history on Thursday. The 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order chose the papal name Leo XIV.
A Chicago native, Pope Leo XIV steps into the papacy at a time when the world is gripped by overlapping wars, humanitarian crises and geopolitical volatility. In his first words, Pope Leo XIV, said "Peace be with you." He recalled that he was an Augustinian priest, but a Christian above all, and a bishop, "so we can all walk together."
Appearing for the first time on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, Prevost as dressed in the traditional papal red mozzetta cape—a garment notably rejected by his predecessor, Pope Francis, during his own introduction to the world in 2013. The decision to don the cape marked a symbolic return to tradition.
Read More on News
His decision to adopt the name "Leo" places him in a lineage associated with strong leadership. The most recent before Prevost was Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 to 1903. He had the fourth-longest reign of any pope and produced the encyclical Rerum Novarum, a foundational document written in response to the sweeping economic and social changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.
Pope Leo XIV spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru. The first American pope never addressed the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square in English.
...
Pope Leo XIV's Full Remarks
The following is a translation of Pope Leo XIV's speech which he delivered in Italian and Spanish, as reported by Vatican News.
(Speaking in Italian)
"Peace be with you. Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome - the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs him like a bridge to reach God and his love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.
Thank you, Pope Francis.
Thank you to my cardinal brothers who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, "with you I am a Christian, for you a bishop". So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:
We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.
(Speaking in Spanish)
Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.
(Speaking in Italian)
To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [plea] to Our Lady of Pompeii.
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
We ask for this special grace from Mary, our mother.
Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
To all the faithful here present, and to all those who receive his blessing through the radio, through television, and other technologies of communication. You can recognise him in the way recognised by the church.
Let us hope that he's preserved for a long time and ensure peace to the church throughout the world."
What to Know About Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, The First American Pope
A longtime Vatican insider and native of Chicago, Prevost's election shattered an informal but long-standing taboo against a U.S. pope. The Villanova graduate had long been viewed as diplomatically sensitive, given the geopolitical weight the United States already carries on the world stage. However, Prevost's deep ties to Latin America—he holds Peruvian citizenship and spent decades living and working in Peru—may have helped allay concerns among voting cardinals.
Prevost's journey to the papacy began as a missionary in Peru, where he served with humility and dedication, eventually rising to become an archbishop. His pastoral work and multicultural background resonated with Pope Francis, who brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023. There, Francis appointed him as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops—one of the Church's most influential roles. In that capacity, Prevost was responsible for reviewing and recommending episcopal appointments worldwide, giving him significant influence and visibility ahead of the conclave.
His selection to lead the global Church signals continuity with the priorities of Pope Francis, particularly regarding outreach to the Global South and reform within the Church hierarchy. Vatican observers have long speculated that Francis saw Prevost as a potential successor, especially given his rapid rise and central role in shaping the modern episcopate.
While his American origins once appeared to be a disqualifying factor, Prevost's cross-cultural ministry and years of service in Latin America appear to have shifted perceptions within the College of Cardinals.
...
President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement
World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
President Donald Trump responded to Prevost's historic selection on Thursday, saying in a post on Truth Social, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
Vice President JD Vance congratulated Cardinal Robert Prevost on Thursday after he was named Pope Leo XIV.
"Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!" Vance posted on X, formerly Twitter, on his personal account @JDVance.
In February, Prevost shared an opinion article criticizing a religious comment made by Vice President JD Vance.
...
White Smoke Billows from Vatican Chimney
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the great bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out on Thursday, signaling that a new pope—the 267th leader of the Catholic Church—had been chosen on the second day of the conclave.
At precisely 6:07 p.m., local time, the smoke rose into the late afternoon sky, sparking an emotional eruption from the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square. Cheers rang out as priests made the sign of the cross, nuns wept, and the crowd shouted in unison, "Viva il papa!" Flags from across the globe waved above the masses as they anxiously awaited the identity of the Church's new spiritual leader.
The white smoke indicated that the successful candidate had secured the required two-thirds majority—at least 89 of the 133 votes cast by the College of Cardinals—marking the election of a successor to Pope Francis.
As anticipation swelled, the Vatican's Swiss Guards made a ceremonial appearance, marching into the square with precision. A military band followed, ascending the steps of St. Peter's Basilica in a display of solemn pageantry.
Later, Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti proclaimed from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica that the Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV.
Mamberti announced:
"I announce to you a great joy;
we have a Pope:
The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord,
Lord Robert Francis
Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost
who has taken the name Leo XIV."
Earlier on Thursday, the 133 cardinal-electors, sequestered in Vatican accommodations since Wednesday, cast two rounds of ballots and failed to reach a consensus on who should be the next pope.
The votes both concluded without result, signaled by the plume of black smoke that rose from the chapel's iconic chimney—a traditional symbol indicating no candidate received the required two-thirds majority. It was the same result for the first vote on Wednesday evening.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
Update: 5/8/25, 1:42 p.m. ET: This headline and article have been updated to indicate the name of the new pope, Leo XIV, and with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 1:52 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 2:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 5/8/25, 2:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 3:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 3:17 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 5/8/25, 3:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 7:14 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/8/25, 8:08 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 5/8/25, 8:39 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines