American Cardinal Elected as Pope Leo XIV in Historic Vatican Move
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The Roman Catholic Church has elected its 267th pontiff: American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
His election was announced yesterday evening after two days of voting by 133 cardinal electors in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.
Pope Leo XIV, born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, becomes the second Roman Pontiff from the Americas after Pope Francis, but the first ever from the United States. The 69-year-old was ordained a priest in 1982 and is a member of the Augustinian order, distinguishing him from his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was a Jesuit.
“On November 3, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, elevating him to the dignity of bishop and assigning him the titular diocese of Sufar,” reads his Vatican profile.
“On January 30, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Prevost as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.” He was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023.
According to Vatican News, “He is the second Roman Pontiff from the Americas after Pope Francis. However, unlike Jorge Mario Bergoglio…, he is from the northern part of the American continent.”
Reuters noted that Pope Leo XIV was a “relative unknown on the global stage,” but one who drew interest for his “quiet style and support for Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, especially his commitment to social justice.” On Catholic network EWTN, one analyst described the result as “quite a surprise to a few people.”
The new Pope secured the required two-thirds majority on the second day of voting mirroring the timeline of his two predecessors. On the first day, no candidate received sufficient votes, resulting in black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney, a traditional sign that no decision has been reached. A similar scene unfolded Thursday at 12:50 p.m. Kenyan time before the cardinals broke for lunch.
Excitement swept through the crowd at 6:08 p.m. Kenyan time when white smoke finally appeared, followed by the ringing of bells, signifying a successful election. Approximately 15,000 people had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Holy See’s press office. “Among those in the square were Sarah and Cameron, a newlywed couple from Indiana in Rome for their honeymoon. They told Kielce Gussie that they had been due to attend Mass with Pope Francis on Thursday, but that although saddened that this is no longer the case, they know that ‘this is a once in a lifetime opportunity’,” said the press office.
The Vatican outlined the traditional acceptance rite: “According to the rules laid out in the Ordo Rituum Conclavis and the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis… the senior cardinal… asks… ‘Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?’ Upon receiving the consent, he then asks: ‘By what name do you wish to be called?’”
After accepting the role, the new Pope entered the ‘Room of Tears’, changed into papal garments, and prepared to address the world.
Though not among the highest-profile contenders such as Cardinals Zuppi, Tagle, or Parolin, Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a continuation of Pope Francis’ vision, reflecting the influence of the 108 electors appointed by Francis.
By Kimani Mwangi
