American elected as pope: Cardinal Robert Prevost, from Chicago, named Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope, becoming the first American pontiff in history.

Thursday’s decisive vote by the College of Cardinals came on the second day of voting after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. A decision requires a two-thirds majority.

Prevost, 69, will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

The new pontiff, who was born in Chicago, spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru before leading the Vatican’s office of bishops in 2023, according to the Associated Press.

About an hour after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the election, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate Prevost:

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. 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!”