Conclave elects first American pope

Pope Leo.

One-hundred-and-33 Catholic Cardinals have elected a new Pope – the first American to hold the post.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

His election by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast defies the conventional wisdom before the conclave, that any American would be a long shot to become pontiff.

He’s also relatively young, at 69 years old.

White smoke coming from the chimney installed on the Sistine Chapel told the world’s 1.4-billion Catholics.

Leo is the 267th Pope, dating back to the year AD 30.


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