Cardinals Elect First American Pope As Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Leo XIV
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 7:06 pm
American Makes History: Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV
In a historic moment, the Catholic Church has elected its first American Pope, Robert Francis Prevost, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. The announcement, made on Thursday, sent waves of excitement and prayer through St. Peter's Square in Rome, where tens of thousands gathered to witness the new pontiff's first address.
Pope Leo XIV, succeeding the late Pope Francis, addressed the global community with a message of peace and unity, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and building bridges between people. His speech, which included a heartfelt tribute to his predecessor and a section in Spanish, was met with enthusiastic cheers.
The election of the American prelate, who previously served as Cardinal Prevost, was a surprise to many, as he wasn't a widely recognized figure. However, his name had been circulating among the "papabili," cardinals considered potential candidates. His background includes defending the underprivileged and speaking out on social issues.
World leaders quickly offered their congratulations and pledged to collaborate with the Church on global matters. The election, which concluded in less than two days, was marked by the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the ringing of church bells, signaling the momentous decision. The new Pope faces the significant task of uniting a divided Church and addressing pressing issues like the ongoing sexual abuse scandal, all while navigating a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty. The papal inauguration is expected to take place soon, bringing together religious and political leaders from around the globe.
Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, American Pope, Catholic Church, St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis, Vatican, papal election, cardinals, Rome, peace, unity, dialogue, global issues, sexual abuse scandal, papal inauguration.