Cardinal Robert Prevost Is Elected Pope and Adopts Name Leo XIV
- Guest Contributor
- May 8
- 2 min read
Updated: May 9
By ACI Prensa, Catholic News Agency's Spanish-language sister agency
Today, at 6:07 p.m. (Rome time), white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope. Of the 133 cardinals gathered at the Vatican since May 7, Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, has been elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.
Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in joy as the basilica’s bells began to ring, confirming the election of the new pontiff. The crowd assembled as the news spread throughout Rome.
The papal election has coincided with a deeply significant day for the Church: May 8 marks the feast of Our Lady of Luján — patroness of Argentina and someone to whom Pope Francis was deeply devoted, having publicly asked for her protection for his people on at least two occasions. It is also the day commemorating the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel, a key figure in the spiritual battle against evil, and the liturgical memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr.
Born in Chicago, United States, Robert Prevost was the bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. An Augustinian by formation, he has devoted much of his ministry to Latin America and is considered a man of dialogue, doctrinal firmness and deep spiritual life. As the new pontiff, he has chosen the name Leo XIV.
The new pope appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at approximately 7:23 p.m. (local time), where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, protodeacon of the College of Cardinals and prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, announced in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you a great joy: we have a pope!”).
Before stepping out onto the balcony, the newly elected pope spent time in the “Room of Tears,” a small room adjacent to the Sistine Chapel. Traditionally, it is there that new pontiffs first don the papal vestments and take a moment of private prayer and reflection, absorbing the magnitude of their election to the See of Peter.
Following the announcement, Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square and those watching the broadcast around the world, imparting his first Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and to the world”) blessing as the new pontiff.
