Habemus papam! While the Vatican has been holding its breath for several days, the distinctive white smoke appeared in the Roman sky above the Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of May 8, 2025. The white smoke symbolized the election of a new pope in the conclave, which brought together cardinals under the age of 80 in the Vatican.
After two unsuccessful rounds of voting, punctuated by black smoke on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, the decision was taken in the fourth ballot, in accordance with a tradition observed in previous papal elections, such as that of Benedict XVI in 2005. The white smoke appeared in the late afternoon, confirming that the two-thirds threshold had been reached. This visual signal, combined with the sound of bells, was scrutinized by thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
So, who is the new pope? American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, elected under the name Leo XIV, becomes the first pope from the United States, an unprecedented election in the history of the Catholic Church.
Robert Francis Prevost, now Leo XIV, was born in Chicago in 1955. Ordained a priest in 1982, he continued his studies in Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in canon law. Most of his ecclesiastical career was spent in South America, notably Peru, where he was Bishop of Chiclayo for several years.
He also served as a missionary, an experience that shaped his pastoral vision. In 2023, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, a key position overseeing episcopal appointments worldwide.
A multilingual Churchman, fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Leo XIV shares some of Pope Francis' orientations, particularly on social issues. Speaking to Vatican News in October 2024, he declared: " A bishop is not supposed to be a prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather he must be humble, close to the people he serves, but also walk and suffer with them."
He also spoke out in favor of access to communion for divorced and remarried people, an opening introduced by his predecessor.
However, some of his positions remain more cautious. In particular, he has expressed his reservations on LGBTQIA+ issues. In 2012, he expressed concern about a Western culture he saw as favorable to " beliefs and practices contrary to the Gospel ", in reference to the homosexual lifestyle.
His work in Peru has also been criticized for his handling of accusations of sexual abuse. The diocese claims that he met with victims in 2022, but an investigation is still underway.
Leo XIV 's name came out on top against other potential candidates, such as Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who is often mentioned in Donald Trump's inner circle. The latter had recently confided: " I have to say that we have a cardinal who happens to be from a place called New York and who is very good ". An implicit endorsement of Dolan, who was ultimately not chosen by the cardinals gathered in conclave.
With this election, the Catholic Church entered a new era, marked by the appointment of an American pope, at the crossroads of Latin and Anglo-Saxon cultures. From now on, Leo XIV will have to deal with the multiple expectations of a changing Church.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
