Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Andrew Medichini/AP
World Europe
Robert Prevost elected as first American pope and takes the name Leo XIV By Rob Picheta, Lauren Kent, Christopher Lamb, Rob Picheta, Christian Edwards and Kara Fox CNN, 7 minute read, Updated 6:13 PM EDT, Thu May 8, 2025
Rome CNN —
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has made history.
The newly elected pontiff, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States, and the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The 69-year-old from Chicago, stepped into his role as the 267th pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening, addressing thousands of cheering Catholics with the words: “Peace be with you all.”
As he addressed the crowds in St. Peter’s Square, Leo paid tribute to the late pontiff Francis, urging them to remember the late pope’s legacy of unity before outlining his own vision for the Catholic Church.
“We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” he said. Speaking in Italian, Leo called on people to “show our charity” to others “and be in dialogue with love.”
