By Sola Ojewusi
Vatican City, May 8, 2025 — Habemus Papam! In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV. This marks the first time in history that a pontiff hails from the United States of America.
The announcement was made from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, following the traditional white smoke signal that signifies the successful conclusion of the conclave. The Guardian reports that the declaration was met with a mix of jubilation, awe, and emotional celebration by the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and millions more watching around the globe.
Cardinal Prevost’s election represents a new chapter in the Church’s over 2,000-year history. A native of the United States, his ascension to the papacy is widely seen as a significant shift reflecting the growing importance of the global South and North American Catholic communities.
Pope Leo XIV now takes on the spiritual leadership of more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, succeeding Pope Francis, who resigned earlier this year citing health reasons.
As the world reacts to this groundbreaking moment, attention now turns to what Pope Leo XIV’s papacy will bring — both in terms of doctrinal continuity and the reforms he may champion in a Church facing the complexities of modernity and global change.
