In a historic moment for the Roman Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the first-ever American pope.

On Thursday, cardinals from around the world chose Prevost to lead the Church’s 1.4 billion followers. He has taken the papal name Pope Leo XIV.

Thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, erupting in cheers as Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He smiled, bowing, and blessing the crowd with the words, “Peace be with you.”

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on the conclave’s second day, signaling a successful election. As bells rang out across Rome, crowds rushed to witness the momentous occasion and hear the Latin announcement introducing the 267th pope.

The red curtains of the basilica were drawn back for the pope’s first greeting and Urbi et Orbi ("To the City and the World") blessing.

Celebratory scenes unfolded as pilgrims waved flags, sang hymns, and recorded the moment. One priest was hoisted on someone’s shoulders waving a Brazilian flag, while others held crucifixes aloft.

The election follows the death of Pope Francis, aged 88, who led the Church for 12 years with a reformist agenda, often drawing criticism from conservative factions.

Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church divided over doctrinal issues, and must now navigate complex global challenges, including sexual abuse scandals, declining Church attendance in the West, and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The conclave was the largest and most diverse in history, with 133 cardinal electors from five continents. Francis appointed most, yet the outcome was far from predictable. The cardinals began voting on Wednesday and reached a consensus by Thursday evening.

While the exact number of ballots remains secret, it reportedly took fewer than six rounds of voting—similar to previous papal elections, such as those of Benedict XVI (2005) and Francis (2013).

Once elected, Pope Leo XIV entered the Room of Tears to privately reflect and change into papal vestments before returning to the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals pledged their obedience.

Pope Leo XIV faces major decisions as he assumes leadership: Should he act as a unifying pastor, a global diplomat, or both? He must address internal Church reforms while responding to world crises and the rise of nationalism.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, urged electors to choose a leader capable of protecting the Church’s unity during this “complex turning point in history.”

The official papal inauguration Mass is expected within a week. During this event, Pope Leo XIV will ride through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile, bless the faithful, and deliver a homily outlining his vision for the future of the Church.