- ROME — American
prelate Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new Pope on Thursday.
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- The Chicago-born Prevost, 69, a member of the Augustinian
order and who had served extensively in Peru, was Prefect of the Dicastery for
Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since
2023. He was appointed to the posts by Pope Francis, who elevated him as a
Cardinal.
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- He will take the pontifical name of Leo XIV.
Also read: White smoke pours out of Sistine Chapel chimney signalling new pope elected
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- Significantly, he is the second successive Pope from the
Americas after the Argentinian-born Pope Francis.
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- There was eager wait to find who was the new Pope would be,
as trademark white smoke billowed out of the chimney high above St Peter's
Square in the evening to signify the conclave of the Cardinals had selected the
successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
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- Joy erupted among the clergy and laity awaiting a decision,
and all eyes were on the balcony, awaiting the first appearance of the new head
of the Roman Catholic Church.
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- Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, the new Pope said:
"Peace be with all of you."
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- "Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first
greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to
reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you,"
he said, the BBC reported.
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- The 133 cardinals making up this conclave, taking place in
the Sistine Chapel, had reassembled after a lunch break following this
morning's inconclusive ballots.
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- A new pope requires a two-thirds majority - which translates
to 89 votes in this conclave. The average length of time for the last few
conclaves was three days and seven ballots, as per the BBC.
