New Pope Update: American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Thursday as the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He becomes the 267th pontiff and the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
The decision came after a two-day conclave held inside the Vatican, where 133 cardinals from around the world gathered in seclusion to choose the next spiritual leader of the Church’s 1.4 billion members.
Pope Leo XIV is now the first American-born pope in history, marking a significant moment for the Church, which has traditionally seen European leaders ascend to the papacy.
His election signals a possible shift in direction for the Vatican, as the Church grapples with modern challenges, global conflicts, and internal calls for reform.
The conclave took place under the centuries-old traditions of the Catholic Church, with cardinals casting secret ballots inside the Sistine Chapel until a candidate secured the required two-thirds majority.
Black smoke billowed after the initial round of votes, signaling no decision had been made, but white smoke appeared Thursday, followed by the announcement of “Habemus Papam” — Latin for “We have a pope.”
Prevost, who had served in prominent roles within the Vatican and was widely respected for his theological scholarship and administrative experience, is seen as a figure of continuity with a pragmatic approach.
Born in Chicago, he was ordained a priest in 1982 and later became an Augustinian missionary and bishop before being called to Rome to serve in senior leadership positions within the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops.
Yesterday: Black smoke rose from the chimney of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Wednesday signaling that the cardinals participating in the papal conclave failed to elect a new pope on their first ballot.
BREAKING: No pope selected by the conclave in first round pic.twitter.com/D1CL46l3lV
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2025
The smoke, a traditional signal used by the Vatican, means that no candidate received the two-thirds majority required to become the next leader of the Catholic Church. A total of 133 cardinals are currently gathered behind closed doors for the election process to choose the 267th pope.
The voting will continue on Thursday, with cardinals allowed to cast up to four ballots per day—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—until a consensus is reached.
This story is still developing and will be updated as new information becomes available.
