White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, marking a historic moment in the Catholic Church as a conclave of cardinals selected a new pope: Robert Prevost of the United States. With this election, Prevost becomes the first American pope in history, adopting the name Leo XIV. The announcement was made by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti of France, highlighting the significance of this moment for both the Church and the United States.
At 69 years old, Prevost hails from Chicago and has a rich background in missionary work, having served in Peru. His leadership experience includes a pivotal role at the Vatican office responsible for vetting bishops. From 2014 to 2023, he served as the bishop of Chiclayo, where he notably invited three women to join the voting bloc for bishops, illustrating a progressive approach to church governance.
The election of Prevost is particularly remarkable, as noted by The Associated Press. Historically, Americans have not been elected pope, largely due to the geopolitical influence of the United States. The conclave, consisting of the largest group of cardinals in history with a total of 133 members, convened in the iconic Vatican City chapel to select a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month after a 12-year papacy.
According to The New York Times, the conclave lasted just over 24 hours, a notably swift process compared to previous elections, which often extended over two or three days. Many of the cardinals participating in this election were appointed by Pope Francis, although some were meeting for the first time, which added an element of unpredictability to the proceedings.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, died on April 21, just months after being hospitalized for bronchitis. Throughout his life, he faced challenges related to respiratory issues, tracing back to an early bout with pneumonia. His papacy began on March 13, 2013, following the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI, who served just shy of eight years.
During his tenure, Pope Francis championed a progressive agenda that emphasized understanding and compassion, earning him the affectionate title of "The People's Pope." His final public message underscored the importance of freedom, stating, “There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression.” His leadership was marked by liberal stances on issues such as the LGBTQ+ community, climate change, capitalism, and divorce. However, he faced criticism for some controversial remarks regarding women's roles in society and a homophobic slur made last year.
As the Catholic Church enters a new era under Pope Leo XIV, the global community watches closely, anticipating how his leadership will shape the future of the Church and its approach to contemporary issues.
