By Edith Loyola 
Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American originally from Chicago, Illinois, has been elected as the new pope of the Catholic Church, adopting the name Leo XIV. This election marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first pope in history to come from the United States. With a distinguished missionary career in Latin America and extensive pastoral experience, Prevost will now take on the spiritual leadership of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, with the expectation of continuing the reforms initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
White Smoke Signals New Leader for the Catholic Church
Today, after two days of deliberations, white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel confirmed to the world that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader. This signal announced that Prevost secured at least two-thirds of the required votes in the fourth round of the conclave, becoming the 267th pope in the history of the Church.
A Pope with a Global Track Record
At 69 years old, Robert Prevost becomes the first American-born pope, hailing from Chicago, Illinois. His journey within the Church spans decades of service as a missionary in Latin America. Notably, he worked for ten years in Trujillo, Peru, before being appointed as the bishop of Chiclayo, a position he held from 2014 until 2023. In 2015, he also acquired Peruvian citizenship, further solidifying his ties to the region.
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In an interview with Vatican News shortly after being appointed head of the Dicastery for Bishops, Prevost reflected on his enduring commitment to the evangelical mission:
“I still consider myself a missionary. My vocation, like that of every Christian, is to be a missionary, to proclaim the Gospel.”
The Path to the Papacy
To be chosen as the new pontiff, Prevost required the support of at least two-thirds of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave. These cardinals remained isolated within the Vatican throughout the election process, in accordance with tradition, to ensure a vote free from external influence.
The Future of Leo XIV’s Pontificate
With his extensive missionary background and deep understanding of the global dynamics of the Church, it is anticipated that Leo XIV will maintain an inclusive and pastoral vision, strengthening the Church’s connection with communities far from the central power of the Vatican.