Cardinal Prevost Becomes First American Pope; Takes Leo XIV
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on May 8.
Photographer: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesTakeaways NEW
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Roman Catholic pontiff, the first ever pope from the US and a possible bridge between the moderate and hardline sides of a divided Church.
Prevost, 69, chose the name of Leo XIV for his pontificate and was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful as he stepped out onto a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square to be presented to the world.