History has been made — Robert Prevost has been elected as the first American pope.
He has chosen the name of Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago, IL in 1955 and has served as Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru; head of the Augustinian religious order.
Prevost is also a dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru.
Previously, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on Thursday, signaling that the cardinals had chosen the 267th leader of the Catholic Church.
Cheers erupted in St. Peter’s Square as crowds chanted “Viva il Papa!” Priests made the sign of the cross, and some nuns were seen in tears as the announcement marked a powerful and emotional moment for Catholics around the world.
