Robert Prevost becomes first American pope

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected as New Pope

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pope to lead the world’s 1.4bn Catholics.

Prevost, the first American to be pope, is seen as a compromise candidate who could find broad support in a divided Catholic church. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

“Peace be with all of you,” Pope Leo told cheering crowds at St Peter’s Square. “I want this salute of peace to enter your heart, reach your families, and all people, and all the peoples, and the whole world.”

In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

The Chicago native, 69, spent decades as a priest teaching and serving in Peru, later administering troubled dioceses and becoming a member of the Peruvian bishops’ conference.

At the Vatican since 2023, Prevost has run the curia’s department for bishop appointments.

After white smoke had billowed over the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin signaled to the crowds that the papal conclave had chosen Prevost as the new pope.

This is a developing story