WATCH: Pope Leo XIV Becomes First American Elected to Lead Catholic Church, Addresses Crowd from St. Peter’s Balcony
By Space Coast Daily // May 8, 2025
American Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as new pope
ABOVE VIDEO: Pope Leo XIV: American Cardinal Robert Prevost elected as new pope
VATICAN – History was made Thursday as the Vatican announced the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American ever chosen to lead the Catholic Church.
The news came shortly after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the successful end of the papal conclave.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti delivered the announcement to a sea of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, revealing that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had been elected pope.
The decision came after roughly 24 hours of deliberations among the 133 voting cardinals.
Prevost, a 69-year-old Augustinian, later appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, donning the traditional red papal cape — a garment his predecessor, Pope Francis, had notably declined to wear after his own election in 2013.
