American Cardinal Elected as New Pope, Takes Name

The Roman Catholic Church has elected its first American pope, with Cardinal Robert Prevost chosen as the 267th pontiff.

White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signalling that a decision had been reached by the College of Cardinals on the second day of the papal conclave.

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Cardinal Prevost, originally from the United States, will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

The announcement was made by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, who proclaimed: “Habemus Papam” “We have a Pope.”

The election follows two days of closed-door deliberations, during which the cardinals were without access to the outside world.