Vatican City — May 8, 2025 In a moment steeped in tradition and hope, the Roman Catholic Church ushered in a new era today as white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born bishop with deep roots in Latin America, has been elected as the 268th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election marks a historic first: he is the first American-born pontiff in the nearly 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Millions around the world watched with joy and reverence as the announcement was made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, following the conclusion of the 2025 Papal Conclave. The College of Cardinals chose Cardinal Prevost after he secured the necessary two-thirds majority vote, following the death of Pope Francis in March. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and later naturalized as a citizen of Peru,…
