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The first North American to be elected pope -

Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the 69-year-old is the first North American to be elected pope. His identity was revealed about an hour after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel.

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Early life of Robert Prevost -

Robert Prevost earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University (a Catholic school outside of Philadelphia), after which he decided to become a priest. He joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977 before becoming ordained.

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A man seen as a reformer -

The new pope is regarded as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there.

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Work in Peru -

In November 2014, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru and titular bishop of Sufar—an ancient episcopal seat of the Roman province of Mauretania Caesariensis.

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Universal appeal -

His many years as a missionary in Peru afforded Prevost greater universal appeal, especially among the cardinals from Central and South America, a fact not lost on Pope Francis.

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Appointment as cardinal -

Pope Francis appointed Robert Prevost as cardinal during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals at St. Peter's Square on September 30, 2023.

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A final greeting -

On February 9, 2025, in Vatican City, Pope Francis greeted Cardinal Robert Prevost at the Holy Mass on the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel at St. Peter's Square. During the service, the pope asked his Master of Ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Ravelli, to continue reading his homily for him, as the pontiff complained of being out of breath.

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The cardinals gather -

Cardinal Robert Prevost attended the Holy Mass, celebrated for the election of the new pope in St. Peter's Basilica, on May 7, 2025. Little did he realize that he was one day away from becoming leader of the Catholic Church.

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Not a front-runner -

The American cardinal was not seen as a front-runner, but quickly secured the required two thirds majority after just four rounds of voting, to provide the Catholic Church with a new universal pastor.

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A decision made quickly -

In fact, the conclave lasted just 25 hours, one of the fastest in history. However, the two-day conclave that elected Leo does not represent the shortest conclave ever. Prior to 1274, there were times when a new pope was elected on the same day as the previous pope's death.

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Elected after four ballots -

Robert Prevost was elected pope after four ballots, compared to the five ballots it took to elect his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, in 2013.

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The first Leo in over a century -

The choice of Leo is the first time the name has been used since Leo XIII—the pope from 1878 to 1903. Pope Leo XIII was well known for his intellectualism and his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking.

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"Peace be with you all you" -

Appearing in front of the crowds on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV's first words were: "Peace be with all you."

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Building bridges -

In his first public address as leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV spoke of peace and building bridges, and helping people who are suffering.

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Seeking continuity -

Continuing in both Italian and Spanish, the themes of his speech seemed to suggest he would have continuity with his predecessor Pope Francis, whom Leo XIV thanked in his remarks.

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In Francis' footsteps -

During his address, he repeated Pope Francis' Easter blessing: "God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands."

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Balcony view -

Gathered on the balconies of St. Peter's Basilica were the cardinals who elected Robert Prevost as the new pope.

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How the conclave works -

There are 252 cardinals in total, but only those under the age of 80 can take part in a conclave.

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Secret ballot -

In total, 135 cardinals were eligible to vote, though two announced they would not travel to Rome. That left 133 cardinals to choose a new pope. On May 7, they gathered in the Sistine Chapel to name the new pontiff.

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Standing room only -

St. Peter's Square can accommodate up to 300,000 people, and, on the day Pope Leo XIV was elected, much of it was at near-capacity. Many more hundreds filled the streets approaching the Vatican.

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American dream -

Americans in St. Peter's Square were stunned and delighted when they learned an American cardinal had been chosen as pope.

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Cheering on a native son -

During the concave, the flags of many nations waved, but, tellingly, few stars and stripes were visible. Americans had converged on the Vatican unprepared for the historic and symbolic choice the Catholic Church was about to make.

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The pope's message -

During his address to the faithful, Pope Leo XIV said: "We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving, like this square, with open arms. All, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love."

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A stronger Church -

He added: "We want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always tries to be close especially to those who suffer."

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The world listens -

The pope's message has been relayed around the world. In Peru, they celebrated the new pope as one of their own. Americans, meanwhile, are looking forward to hearing the pontiff speak in English with a Chicago accent!

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A new order -

Commentators have remarked that by selecting an American pope, the conclave's choice reflects the shifting geopolitical powers of the day. And the election of Robert Prevost has also signaled a shift in the world order of the Church.

Sources: (BBC) (Reuters) (CBS News) (Associated Press) (The Holy See) (Time)  

See also: Sacred secrets? Surprising papal facts you might not know

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