Gambiaj.com – (Vatican City) – In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected as the 267th pope, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

A visibly emotional Leo XIV greeted the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square with the words, “Peace be with you all,” in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, calling on the Church to “build bridges,” promote peace, and care for the suffering.

A New Leader With Global Roots

At 69, Pope Leo XIV brings decades of global experience to the role. Born in Chicago in 1955, he has long been recognized within the Church as a thoughtful and effective leader. He earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University and later studied theology and canon law in Chicago and Rome. Ordained in 1982, Prevost spent a large part of his priesthood as a missionary in Peru, where he taught canon law and later served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2014 to 2023. He holds dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship.

Before his election, Prevost led the influential Vatican Dicastery for Bishops, a post that gave him significant sway over episcopal appointments worldwide. His deep pastoral experience and commitment to the Church’s global mission are seen as vital credentials at a time of transformation and challenge for Catholicism.

The Conclave and White Smoke

Prevost was elected by the 133 cardinal electors, securing the required two-thirds majority in what Vatican sources say was either the fourth or fifth ballot of the conclave. The telltale white smoke rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel signaled to the world that a new pope had been chosen, prompting joyful scenes across Rome and beyond.

Moments later, the Swiss Guard and Vatican band began their ceremonial march as the excitement in St. Peter’s Square reached a crescendo. Pilgrims, tourists, and Roman locals — many waving flags from around the globe — packed the square, some shedding tears of joy and others clasping hands in prayer.

Francesca, a lawyer from Rome who joined the crowd, said, “This is an epic moment. I just hope the new pope is someone who can bring peace and reconciliation.”

A Measured Yet Impactful Voice and Building on Francis’ Reforms

Christopher Lamb, CNN’s Vatican correspondent, described Leo XIV as “a very thoughtful person, a very measured person” who prepares his words carefully. “He’s not someone who speaks off the cuff like Pope Francis often did, but when he does speak, his words carry great impact,” Lamb said.

Leo XIV emphasized dialogue and charity in his first speech, switching from Italian to Spanish — one of several languages he speaks — to address his “beloved diocese” in Peru. He called on the Church to be “synodal,” one that moves forward with the people and remains close to those who suffer.

Leo XIV is expected to continue many of Pope Francis’ reforms, including efforts to decentralize the Church’s governance and foster greater inclusion. “I still consider myself a missionary,” he once said in an interview, underlining his belief that every Christian is called to spread the Gospel wherever they are.

His election may have surprised some Vatican watchers who long believed an American pope was unlikely due to concerns over U.S. geopolitical influence. However, Prevost’s deep ties to Latin America and his reputation as a consensus builder appear to have won over the cardinal electors.

A Moment of National Pride

U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the election as a “Great Honor for our Country.” The announcement also follows recent controversy over an AI-generated image posted by the White House’s social media team depicting Trump as pope during the conclave buildup.

Back in St. Peter’s Square, the reaction to the new pontiff was one of elation and hope. Connie, an American pilgrim, said she was praying that the new pope would continue Pope Francis’ legacy of “helping the poor, fixing the world, and helping the immigrants.”

Pope Leo XIV’s formal inauguration will take place in the coming days in a public ceremony expected to draw global leaders and religious figures. For now, Catholics around the world are celebrating a new chapter in the Church’s long and storied history — one led for the first time by an American, whose life has been shaped by a mission far beyond his homeland.

With CNN