A new leader for world’s 1.5 billion Catholics has emerged.
He is American Robert Francis Prevost, now to be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Cardinals’ decision confirmed with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope”
When white smoke emerged from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, billions of people worldwide knew a new Pope has emerged.
Born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, the United States (U.S.), Cardinals chose him as successor to Pope Francis.
He is former Superior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.
The American Catholic prelate is now officially head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State since May 8, 2025, taking the papal name Leo XIV.
He spent the early part of his career working for the Augustinians. He served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator.
He was made a cardinal in 2023. He served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023.
He served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023, and was general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a prominent role that elevated his profile as a potential papal candidate.
Immediately after the announcement, the new pope was led to a small room next to the Sistine Chapel where he put on the white papal robes.
The decision was confirmed with the words “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “we have a Pope”.
The new Pontiff was introduced by his chosen papal name.
Huge cheers came from the crowd as the white smoke rose, with everyone running forward to see it.
People were jumping up with joy while some were praying to the sky.
The bells also rang so loudly and reverberated around St Peter’s Square as people cheered and screamed with joy.
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