The Catholic Church has a new pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American, who has taken the papal name of Leo XIV – and President Donald Trump was quick to respond to the announcement earlier today from the Vatican.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “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!”
Prevost, 69, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, just a day after meeting with Vice President JD Vance. The conclave of 133 cardinal-electors reached a decision after four rounds of voting over two days. At 6:07 p.m. local time, white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling to the world that a new pontiff had been chosen. Prevost delivered his first public address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with a message centered on peace. “Peace be with you,” he told the gathered crowd, vowing to build bridges and carry forward the path of reconciliation established by his predecessor.
Born in Chicago, Prevost brings a distinctive background to the papacy, having spent more than a decade in Peru as a missionary priest and seminary director. His extensive international experience and fluency in Spanish have earned him respect across the global Church. Appointed a cardinal in 2023, Prevost most recently served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, where he oversaw episcopal appointments worldwide—a position that significantly elevated his visibility heading into the conclave.
His election surprised many Vatican observers, as pre-conclave speculation had largely centered on more prominent figures like Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. However, the consensus that ultimately formed around Prevost highlights the College of Cardinals’ preference for a moderate, pastoral leader with strong administrative credentials and deep missionary experience.