The Catholic Church Has Elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope

Prevost, who will take the name Leo XIV, was elected as the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Share
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
The Catholic Church Has Elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope
Copy

Live video feed from the Associated Press.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and led the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.

White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling that a pontiff had been elected to lead the Catholic Church.

Read more updated news on the Associated Press.

FEMA program has funded modeling tool to identify flood risks in Rhode Island’s coastal and inland waters
Findings show Ocean State improved in latest ranking of most expensive states to find housing
Other legislative panels prepare to study Pawtuxet River flooding, Central Falls schools
The council voted last month to eliminate the funding Zeiterion gets from the city, which accounts for about 20% of the theater’s operating revenue. But at the mayor’s request, the council will vote Thursday, July 17 on whether to restore it. If the funds aren’t restored, it could threaten the existence of the 102-year-old venue
Victoria Banks, Phil Barton, and Emily Shackelson, three of Nashville’s most respected singer-songwriters, will perform Nov. 8
From therapy dogs and healing horses to wildlife rescues and foster journeys, host Karen Kalunian and the Animal Talk crew go behind the scenes with Rhode Island’s most inspiring animal advocates