Cardinals elect first American leader, a Chicagoan who selects Pope Leo XIV as his name

Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday and took the name Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first pope from the United States and defying the conventional wisdom before the conclave that any American would be a long shot to become pontiff.

Section:Gallery

Thu., May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV, in his first public appearance after he was elected, waves from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was elected on Thursday by 133 cardinals to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. The first pope from the United States, he chose the name Leo XIV.

Gianni Cipriano The New York Times
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: Crowds gathered around St Peter's Square react as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope during their fourth vote on the second day of their secret conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect the new Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Dan Kitwood
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope during their fourth vote on the second day of their secret conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect the new Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Dan Kitwood
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo (Leone) XIV, as the 267th Supreme Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Dan Kitwood
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect the new Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Antonio Masiello
Pope Leo XIV, in his first public appearance after he was elected, on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first pope from the U.S.

Gianni Cipriano The New York Times
Pope Leo XIV, in his first public appearance after he was elected, waves to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first pope from the U.S.

Gianni Cipriano The New York Times
A screen in St. Peter’s Square displays Pope Leo XIV as he delivers his first remarks after his election on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first pope from the U.S.

Gianni Cipriano The New York Times