White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel Thursday, signalling that the cardinals had chosen a new leader for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, was elected as the 267th pope on the second day of the conclave. He will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago and a former missionary in Peru, Prevost received at least 89 of the 133 possible votes, confirming his election as the new pontiff.
Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as the great bells of the basilica rang. Priests crossed themselves, and nuns wept with joy. This election marks a historic moment, as an American takes the papacy during a time of global change within the Church.
Pope Leo XIII succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21st.