United States Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election was marked by the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling he secured at least 89 votes from the 133 participating cardinals during the conclave to succeed Pope Francis. The announcement was met with jubilation in St. Peter’s Square, where crowds celebrated the new pope with chants and cheers, reflecting a moment of excitement akin to a World Cup final.
