VATICAN CITY (AP) 鈥 Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican鈥檚 powerful office of bishops was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

In his first words as 鈥 successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, Leo, 69, said, 鈥淧eace be with you,鈥 and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy 鈥 a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

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The first U.S. pope didn鈥檛 use English in his first speech

His choice of languages reflects his 鈥減astoral care,鈥 said Prof. Bruce Morrill of Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

鈥淔irst and foremost his office is bishop of Rome,鈥 Morrill said after the American pope initially spoke Italian, then switched to the Spanish he used in decades spent ministering in Peru.

鈥淭he conventional wisdom was that there would not be an American pope because of geopolitical implications,鈥 said Morrill, a Jesuit priest.

Morrill also noted that Leo XIII issued the first modern encyclical on modern social justice, about workers鈥 protections. So choosing the name Leo XIV suggests the new pontiff鈥檚 priorities: 鈥淭his is a man also very concerned about the church serving the greater social needs of the world,鈥 Morrill said.

Spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians welcomes the new Roman Catholic Church leader

鈥淚 greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations,鈥 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Associated Press Thursday at an event in Athens. He said he鈥檒l be in Rome for the pope鈥檚 enthronement.

Reflecting on his longstanding cooperation with Pope Francis, Bartholomew expressed hope for continued progress in Catholic-Orthodox relations. He and Francis collaborated on global challenges including climate change, migration and the impact of technological change. They also hoped to end a centuries-old dispute by finding a common date to celebrate Easter.

鈥淚 hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator ... for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind,鈥 he said.

Spanish prime minister congratulates 鈥榯he entire Catholic church鈥

Pedro S谩nchez cheered the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying in a post on X: 鈥淢ay your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.鈥

Pope Leo XIV鈥檚 first appointments have been set

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni says:

1. Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass on Friday morning at 11 a.m. with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.

2. He plans to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica

3. And he plans to hold an audience with the media on Monday in the Vatican auditorium

The Bushes are delighted over an American pope

Former U.S. President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, are 鈥渄elighted鈥 to congratulate former Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election to become pope.

鈥淭his an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world,鈥 Bush said in a statement. 鈥淲e join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God鈥檚 love.鈥

Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost

In many ways, Francis saw Prevost as his heir apparent. But there had long been a taboo against electing a pontiff from a country whose geopolitical power loomed so large in the secular sphere. Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he鈥檚 also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

His selection is also enormously significant because of its potential impact on the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been badly divided between conservatives and progressives. With Prevost鈥檚 help at the help of the bishop vetting office, Francis embarked on a 12-year project to rein in the traditionalists in the United States, which is terrifically important to the global church financially.

What significance might the name Leo have for a pope?

a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru before taking over the Vatican鈥檚 powerful office of bishops, chose Leo XIV for his papal name.

Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903, softened Catholicism鈥檚 confrontational stance toward modernity 鈥 especially science and politics 鈥 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers鈥 rights and capitalism.

The name 鈥渋s a deep sign of commitment to social issues. I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome,鈥欌 said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of religious studies at Manhattan University in the Bronx.

Trump says 鈥榠t鈥檚 such an honor for our country鈥

Trump spoke to reporters outside the West Wing, saying that for the new pope to be American, 鈥淲hat greater honor can there be?鈥

鈥淲e鈥檙e a little bit surprised and we鈥檙e happy,鈥 Trump added.

US Secretary of State sends his greetings

Marco Rubio, a Catholic, issued a statement expressing his 鈥渉eartfelt congratulations鈥 to the new pope during 鈥渁 moment of profound significance鈥 for the church.

鈥淭he papacy carries a sacred and solemn responsibility,鈥 Rubio鈥檚 message said. 鈥淢ay the Holy Spirit impart wisdom, strength, and grace as he shepherds the Church. The United States looks forward to deepening our enduring relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff.鈥

A new pope sends greetings to his faithful in Peru

Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica for the first time as pope, Leo XIV addressed in Spanish the people of Chiclayo, which sits sits just 9 miles (14 km) away from Peru鈥檚 northern Pacific coast and is among the country鈥檚 most populous cities.

鈥淕reetings... to all of you, and in particular, to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have accompanied their bishop, shared their faith,鈥 he said.

What is a core value for Augustinian priests?

A religious order is a community of Catholics 鈥 which can include priests, nuns, monks and even lay people 鈥 dedicated to a particular type of mission and spirituality. A core value for the Order of St. Augustine that the new pope belongs to is to 鈥渓ive together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God.鈥

Pope Francis was the first pope from the Jesuit religious order ever, and the first in more than a century and a half to come from any religious order. The previous one was Gregory XVI (1831-1846), a Camaldolese monk. In all, 34 of the 266 popes have belonged to religious orders 鈥 and six of them before Leo XIV were Augustinians, according to America, a Jesuit magazine.

The idea of a US pontiff was taboo. Prevost overcame it

Pope Francis brought Prevost, a Chicago native, to the Vatican in 2023 to lead the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.

He kept a low public profile in Rome, but was well known to the men who count. Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals.

Back in Prevost鈥檚 old diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, the Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil said Prevost would have breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers each day. 鈥淣o matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,鈥 Purisaca said in an email.

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The pope鈥檚 first words

鈥淧eace be with you all. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you.鈥

Cathedral bells ring out in Lima, Peru

Prevost鈥檚 election as pope is swelling the pride of Peruvians.

鈥淔or us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,鈥 said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who happened to be near the cathedral in Peru鈥檚 capital when the news was announced. 鈥淲e would like him to visit us here in Peru.鈥

Trump congratulates new pope

The U.S. president posted his reaction on his Truth Social social media platform.

鈥淐ongratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. 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!鈥

New pope led order dedicated to the poor and service

The new pope was formerly the prior general, or leader, of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community of 鈥渕endicant鈥 friars dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.

The order鈥檚 requirements and ethos are traced to the fifth century St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity.

The order works in about 50 countries, according to its promoting a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others.

Pope Leo XIV鈥檚 first message: Peace and dialogue 鈥榳ithout fear鈥

In his first words, Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope Robert Prevost, said 鈥淧eace be with you.鈥

From the loggia of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, he recalled that he was an Augustinian priest, but a Christian above all, and a bishop, 鈥渟o we can all walk together.鈥

He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

The voting cardinals look over the crowd

The voting cardinals now fill the four balconies that flank the flag-draped balcony where Pope Leo XIV will speak. Many 鈥 including several who had been identified as possible contenders 鈥 seem joyful as they look over the crowd below.

Robert Prevost is elected the first American pope in history

Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican鈥檚 powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.

A new pope鈥檚 last moments before emerging to a global role

The new pope, whoever he is, should now be donning his papal vestments in the so-called 鈥淩oom of Tears.鈥 It is thus named due to the emotional weight of the moment and the responsibility ahead.

People in the crowd continue to scream 鈥淰iva il papa!鈥 as they remain suspended in time in huge anticipation.

One cardinal鈥檚 hometown 鈥榤ystery鈥

Three friends in Cardinal Pietro Parolin鈥檚 hometown of Schiavon clinked their glasses in an Italian salute when the white smoke went up in St. Peter鈥檚 Square. 鈥淲e hope it鈥檚 him,鈥 said Mariano Vialetto, over an aperitivo in Caff猫 Centrale. 鈥淲e have our fingers crossed.鈥

Morgan Zaetta was more sure: 鈥淚t鈥檚 him, it鈥檚 him.鈥

Then the bells rang in the church, St. Margherita 鈥 only the sacristan says it wasn鈥檛 he who rang them and doesn鈥檛 know who did.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 me,鈥 said Angelo Cisotto, adding no one was in the bell tower and they could not be rung by remote.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a mystery,鈥 he said. Asked if it could be a sign: 鈥淲e hope, we hope.鈥欌

Trump saw the smoke

President Donald Trump was asked about the white smoke signaling that a new pope had been chosen. He offered little immediate reaction.

鈥淚 saw the smoke but I haven鈥檛 seen the pope,鈥 Trump told reporters on his way out of a White House event with military mothers.

A last quiet moment before the excitement

A few minutes before the white smoke, a small seagull chick appeared near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Alongside the chick were two larger seagulls, almost as if they were a family. Just as the mother was feeding the chick, the chimney began to smoke.

Older cardinals who didn鈥檛 participate in the conclave rush out to the square

These cardinals lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems.

Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O鈥橫alley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn鈥檛 vote.

Swiss Guards have taken position in front of front of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica

A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd.

The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function.

And now more marching bands are celebrating the election of a new pope in a parade that includes large groups in military dress uniforms.

鈥淰ivi il Papa!鈥 erupts from the crowd whenever the music pauses.

All eyes are now on the red-draped central balcony of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica

That鈥檚 where a cardinal will soon emerge to 鈥渢o proclaim a new pope to Rome and to the world.鈥

There is incredible excitement 鈥 the crowd is roaring, and some are shouting 鈥渉allelujah!鈥

Church bells ring in Spain

Moments after white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel, the bells began tolling in Barcelona鈥檚 towering Sagrada Familia basilica and the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, across from the royal palace.

The great bells of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica are tolling

And down below, amid the cheers in the vast mix of humanity in St. Peter鈥檚 square, priests are making the sign of the cross and nuns are weeping at the white smoke wafting into the sky.

The crowd erupted with joy in St. Peter鈥檚 Square

Some are obviously deeply moved, others excited. They鈥檙e clapping and waving national flags and taking photos with their phones.

鈥淰iva il papa!鈥 some shouted.

White smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney

It signals that a pope has been elected to lead the Catholic Church.

That means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis.

The crowd in St. Peter鈥檚 Square erupted in cheers.

The name will be announced later, when a top cardinal utters the words 鈥淗abemus papam!鈥 Latin for 鈥淲e have a pope!鈥 from the loggia of St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica. The cardinal then reads the winner鈥檚 birth name in Latin, and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.

The new pope is then expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.

The smoke emerged from the chimney at 6:07 p.m.

Pope Francis appointed 108 of the cardinals voting for his successor

He elevated these men and others who are not eligible to vote in groups throughout his papacy, beginning in with 19. They came from around the world, including the developing nations of Haiti and Burkina Faso, in line with his belief the church must pay more attention to the poor and that its hierarchy should reflect the face of the faithful.

His last batch was installed in with 21 cardinals, 20 of whom are in the conclave.

The excitement in the square is contagious

At one point there was applause from the crowd as thousands train their eyes on the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, but it was a false alarm.

鈥淲e want a Pope close to the people and close to us, to the youth, who represent the future of the Church, said Kacper Michalak, 20, a seminarian from Poland who came for the 2025 Jubilee. encouraging spiritual renewal which encourages pilgrimages to Rome.

How long does it take to choose a pope?

It鈥檚 hard to say precisely. The Vatican doesn鈥檛 officially publish the number of votes in past , and sources compiling their own tallies don鈥檛 completely agree. But historical data .

The longest conclave since the 20th century began took 14 rounds of balloting across five days, ending with the election of Pius XI in 1922. The shortest, electing Pius XII in 1939, took three ballots over two days.

Cardinals must reach a two-thirds majority to elect a pope. That may have been easier in the past: In 1922 there were just 53 voting cardinals, and until 1978 conclaves had fewer than 100. This year there are 133, so 89 votes are needed.

These are the US cardinals voting for the next pope

The United States is home to 10 of the 133 cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope. That鈥檚 more than any other nation except Italy, home to 17 of the electors in the conclave choosing a successor to Pope Francis.

Only four of the American electors actively serve as archbishops in the U.S. 鈥 Timothy Dolan of New York, Blase Cupich of Chicago, Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, and Robert McElroy of Washington. Two others are retired archbishops, and four have spent many years serving at the Vatican.

It鈥檚 a mixed group, ideologically. McElroy was one of Francis鈥 staunchest progressive allies. Cardinal Raymond Burke, a traditionalist, was a frequent critic of Francis.

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Conservative cardinals are likely seeking a more orthodox successor

had many who made clear they believed themselves to be more Catholic than the pope.

Francis sought to neutralize the conservative opposition through key appointments and targeted removals, and he also oversaw a crackdown on the old Latin Mass. When he approved blessings for same-sex couples, African bishops united in disapproval. And when he allowed divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, some accused him of heresy.

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The faithful in the piazza don鈥檛 get a vote. But if they did ...

Pedro Deget, 22, a finance student from Argentina, is hoping for a new pope in Francis鈥 image. 鈥淔rancis did well in opening the church to the outside world, but on other fronts maybe he didn鈥檛 do enough. We鈥檒l see if the next one will be able to do more.鈥

The Rev. Jan Dominik Bogataj, a Slovene Franciscan friar, was more critical of Francis. He said if he were in the Sistine Chapel, he鈥檇 be voting for Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who is on many papal contender lists.

鈥淗e has clear ideas, not much ideology. He鈥檚 a direct, intelligent, and respectful man,鈥 Bogataj said from the square. 鈥淢ost of all, he鈥檚 agile.鈥

A hot mic moment feeds conjecture over papal candidates

As the Sistine Chapel鈥檚 doors slammed shut to seal the cardinals off from the outside world, leadership of the proceedings was assumed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old secretary of state under Francis and a to succeed him as pope.

Parolin is the most senior cardinal under age 80 eligible to participate, and seemed to have received blessings from none other than Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, who was caught on a hot mic during Wednesday鈥檚 pre-conclave Mass telling Parolin 鈥淎uguri doppio鈥 or 鈥渄ouble best wishes.鈥

Italians are debating whether this was a customary gesture, an informal endorsement or even a premature congratulations.

Prominent cardinal hopes for white smoke by the evening

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, expressed hope that a new pope would be elected within hours, according to reports in major Italian newspapers.

鈥淚 hope that when I return to Rome this evening, I鈥檒l find the white smoke already rising,鈥 he said, speaking from the city of Pompei on Thursday.

Re is 91 years old, which makes him too old to participate in the conclave of 133 cardinals who are electing the next pope and who all have to be under 80.

However, he has been prominent and delivered a Mass on Wednesday before the cardinals began their conclave. As the Mass ended he was caught on a hot mic saying to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, viewed as a favorite for the papacy: 鈥渁uguri doppi鈥 (鈥渄ouble best wishes鈥).

Italians discussed whether this was a customary gesture acknowledging Parolin鈥檚 role as the most senior cardinal present in the conclave, or if it might have been an informal endorsement of Parolin鈥檚 candidacy for the papacy.

Black smoke again pours from the Sistine Chapel chimney: No pope elected yet

Black smoke is again pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on second or third ballots of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.

The smoke billowed out at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday after the morning voting session to elect a successor to Pope Francis to lead the 1.4 billion-member church.

With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the 133 cardinals will return to the Vatican residences where they are being sequestered. They will have lunch and then return to the Sistine Chapel for the afternoon voting session.

Two more votes are possible on Thursday.

Day 2 of waiting for a new pope

Many faithful are hoping that the second day of the conclave will give the church and the world a new pope after a first vote produced dark smoke on Wednesday evening, sending a disappointed crowd to disperse in all directions in Rome.

Earlier, some of the people had started thinking that the long wait was the sign cardinals had reached a decision in a first vote, which would be unprecedented in the modern era.

鈥淭hey probably need more time,鈥 said Costanza Ranaldi, a 63-year-old who travelled from Pescara in Italy鈥檚 Abruzzo region to be present at the historic moment.

Chiara Pironi, a 26-year-old who lives in Rome, said she would keep returning to St. Peter鈥檚 Square until a new pope is chosen.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to miss that moment,鈥 she said.

A proverb and a warning

There is an old prover that Italians keep repeating: 鈥淗e who enters the conclave as pope leaves as a cardinal.鈥

The saying warns against overconfidence among frontrunners in papal elections 鈥 those widely expected to win often do not.

In Rome, the phrase is heard frequently, from casual conversations to live TV broadcasts, where commentators use it to temper speculation.

It鈥檚 a reminder of the secrecy and unpredictability of the conclave, where decisions are made behind locked doors, and outcomes can surprise even seasoned Vatican watchers.

Who is voting in the conclave?

Of the 133 cardinals voting in the conclave, 108 were appointed by .

The electors could feel loyalty to continue his legacy 鈥 even though the late pontiff didn鈥檛 choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity.

Beyond that, the cardinals will consider practical matters, like age. Piking a relatively young man 鈥 say in his 60s 鈥 could result in a papacy of 20 years or longer.

Also, choosing a pope from where the church is growing 鈥 Asia or Africa 鈥 could bring more upheaval to the Vatican鈥檚 Italian-heavy bureaucracy that is still smarting from the Argentine pope鈥檚 go-it-alone style.

Why might papal voting might have taken longer Wednesday evening?

Casting and counting ballots for a new pope might have taken longer than expected on Wednesday evening because of the large number of cardinals participating 鈥 133 鈥 and the linguistic diversity among them.

The electors hail from 70 countries, and not all speak or understand Italian fluently, which could have slowed down the proceedings if help with translation was needed. While in the past Latin was the universal language of the church, nowadays not all cardinals understand Latin or even Italian, the lingua franca of the Vatican.

Another unknown was the length of the meditation delivered by Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa after the Sistine Chapel doors closed and the voting began. Cantalamessa is the retired preacher of the papal household.

Also, the vote might have had to be done twice, if for some reason the first ballot had to be invalidated. That occurred in 2013 when during one voting round, an extra empty ballot appeared.

Black smoke pours from Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating conclave hasn鈥檛 elected pope

The smoke billowed out at 9 p.m. Wednesday, some four hours after 133 cardinals solemnly entered the Sistine Chapel, took their oaths of secrecy and formally opened the centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis to lead the 1.4 billion-member church.

With no one securing the necessary two-thirds majority, or 89 votes, the cardinals retired for the night to the Vatican residences where they are being sequestered.

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