Former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States was selected Thursday by the papal conclave to succeed Pope Francis and lead the Roman Catholic Church. The new pontiff, who has taken the name Leo XIV,

After less than 24 hours of seclusion in the Vatican, cardinals ended the 2025 papal conclave with the election of a new pontiff. The man chosen, Cardinal Robert Prevost, will be known as Pope Leo XIV — the first pope ever from the United States.

White smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel on the evening of Thursday, May 8, signaling that the Vatican has elected a new Pope. After a short wait, Cardinal Dominique François Joseph Mamberti stepped out onto the balcony overlooking St.