History Made: Robert Prevost “Pope Leo XIV” Named First Ever From The U.S.

The conclave ended on Thursday night (Italian time) after white smoke bellowed from the Sistine Chapel.

Corey Fuller - Staff Writer • May 8, 2025

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 26: US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Pope Francis died on April 21st at the age of 88. Born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to become Pope when elected in 2013. Taking the name Francis after St Francis of Assisi, he promoted a more humble version of the papacy than many of his predecessors. He will be buried outside the Vatican in a simple wooden coffin at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) — Getty Images / Franco Origlia

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As hundreds of thousands kept an eye on the smoke color coming from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, a new pope has been elected in Vatican City.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States is now the elected pope of the Catholic Church, marking the very first American pope in history.

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 Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) — Getty Images / Dan Kitwood

The appointment comes just one day later from the beginning of the papal conclave, a historical ritual that sees 133 cardinals from all over the world locking themselves in a room until they decide a successor.

Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV, and becomes the newest in charge after Pope Francis’ death back on April 21.