The first U.S.-born pontiff, formerly Cardinal Prevost, leads Mass
Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Pope Leo Robert Prevost 2025 Live Updates Conclave Rcna205761 - World News | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.
Robert Francis Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Born in Chicago, he was elected on the second day of the conclave.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV today led his first Mass as pontiff in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinal electors voted for him yesterday. His public installation Mass will take place May 18.
Yesterday, the conclave chose American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to be the next pope.
Leo is the first pope to have been born in the United States. He is also a citizen of Peru, where he has spent much of his life.
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV cast a ballot in recent Republican primaries in Illinois
Pope Leo XIV, the first American to ascend to the papacy, has voted in three Republican primary elections since 2012, state voting records show.
Records from Will County show a Robert F. Prevost (the new pontiff’s birth name) registered in the county using an address that belongs to the pope’s brother. His brother confirmed that Prevost receives his mail at that address as well. Those records show Prevost voting in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Republican primaries, as well as in the 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2024 general elections.
Voters in Illinois do not register by party, so Prevost’s decision to vote in Republican primaries doesn’t necessarily mean he is a Republican. Instead, voters can select which party’s primary they want to vote for each year, and are not bound to pick the same party year-to-year.
Why the name Leo?
American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chose the name Leo after he was elected pope yesterday — but why the name Leo?
American cardinals who were part of the conclave that elected the new pope spoke at a news briefing today about Prevost's choice of name.
"Picking the name Leo is indicative, I think, of the direction he wants to take," Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich said, mentioning Pope Leo XIII, who "wrote stirringly about the rights of workers, of immigrants, of those who are living at the margins of society."
Pope Leo XIII, or Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci, was the last pope to choose the name. He served from 1878 to 1903 and was known for his intellectual nature, and writing encyclical letters, including Rerum Novarum, or "Of New Things," in Latin, in which he spoke about workers rights.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo spoke about Leo the Great, or Pope Leo I, who served from 440 to 461. He is credited with convincing invaders not to attack Rome, including the Huns and the Vandals.
"Leo the Great was a pope at the time when the church was truly a mess in dealing with what was happening right around the city gates of Rome," DiNardo said.
DiNardo said the new pope, Leo XIV, is a "wise man" who picked a name that "could speak to us both on terms of social doctrine and in terms of doctrine through Jesus."
The U.S. now has two world leaders. They could not be more different.
The U.S. now has two top-level leaders on the global stage — and there is evidence to suggest Pope Leo XIV will cut a stark contrast to President Donald Trump.
The Chicago-born pontiff, 69, is known as a humble moderate who used his first papal words to urge building “bridges.” Seen as a spiritual successor to the late Pope Francis, Leo was echoing his predecessor’s refrain of building “bridges not walls” — a theme Francis used to openly criticize the Trump administration.
As Cardinal Robert Prevost, Leo also criticized both Trump and Vice President JD Vance on social media. As recently as February, he shared a headline saying that Vance, who is Catholic, was “wrong” to suggest Christians should prioritize loving their countrymen over foreigners.
Pope Leo is not a 'counterweight' to President Donald Trump
American cardinals who participated in the conclave said in a news briefing today that newly elected American Pope Leo XIV is not an offering to the world to counterbalance President Donald Trump's influence.
When asked if Prevost’s election was to any extent the American cardinals’ desire to offer a “counterweight” to Trump, Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan said the new pope is not a counterweight to anyone, adding that where he's from was not very relevant to their decision.
"It should not startle us that we would look to Pope Leo as a bridge-builder, that's what the Latin word pontiff means, he's a bridge-builder," Dolan said. "Will he want to build bridges to Donald Trump? I suppose, but he would want to build bridges with the leader of every nation."
Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory said that while they are all aware of political actions taken by the Trump administration, the conclave was mostly concerned about "who among us can bring us together."
"So, it wasn't an election conclave," Gregory said. "It was a desire to strengthen the Christian faith among God's people."
'We're not looking for a photocopy' of Francis, American cardinal says
American cardinals who helped choose the new pope were not looking for someone exactly like Francis, the Archbishop of Washington Robert McElroy told a news briefing today.
Sitting alongside his U.S. colleagues, McElroy was asked if Pope Leo XIV would express his opinions as freely as Francis did on political topics like President Donald Trump’s plan to deport migrants.
“I would say on the question of, ‘Is the same type of freedom in his heart and soul that was in Pope Francis?’ I believe yes, but that’s different from asking, ‘Is he going to express that freedom in the same exact manner or the same pathways and contours that Pope Francis did?’” McElroy said.
“It was said many times in the general sessions leading up to the conclave, but I think I could say this much without giving anything away: We’re looking for someone following the pathway of Francis, but we’re not looking for a photocopy.”
McElroy added that while he doesn’t expect Leo to be exactly like Francis, he believes “he’ll be just as genuine, but he’ll have a different manner in expressing that, and bringing the Gospel to the church.”
The Vatican says heads and members of the Roman Curia to continue in their roles 'provisionally'
Pope Leo XIV has expressed a wish that the heads and members of the offices the Roman Curia, the central governing bureaucracy in the Vatican, and the Holy See's governing officials should continue in their roles for the moment, the Vatican said in a statement Friday.
“The Holy Father indeed wishes to reserve for himself a certain amount of time for reflection, prayer, and dialogue before making any appointments or definitive confirmations,” it added.
It is typical for the pope to appoint new officials to head any departments of the Roman Curia, as Pope Francis did when he named the first woman, Sister Simona Brambilla, to head a dicastery in January this year.
It is also common for popes to reappoint officials to their posts, as Francis did with several officials in 2013.
Faithful snatch up copies of first Vatican paper with new pope
Visitors at the Vatican today were eager to get their hands on the first copies of the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, to feature reporting on the new pope.
Instagram posts show Pope Leo greeting crowds after his election
Social media posts on Instagram showed Pope Leo XIV arriving at Santo Uffizio Palace last evening, hours after he was elected, greeting crowds and signing a book. The posts, which were verified by NBC News, included video that showed people chanting, “Viva il Papa!” or “Long live the pope!”
Leo was also seen shaking hands with a girl who asked him if he could sign her book. “I need to test the signature. The old one doesn’t work anymore,” he responded as the crowd erupted in laughter.
He then offered her a blessing before greeting more people in the crowd in Spanish.
In a striking detail, Pope Leo’s first homily began with a few words in English
The new pope began his first homily during this morning's Mass in English, before he switched to Italian. It was a striking departure from his predecessors, as well as a nod to his American heritage. Only one Englishman, Hadrian IV, has been elected pope, holding the papacy from 1154 to 1159.
Pope Leo XIV during a Mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel today. Vatican Media via AFP - Getty Images
As bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, Pope Leo was an anti-human-trafficking advocate
A 2015 Facebook post from Caritas, the Catholic Church’s nonprofit in Peru, shows Pope Leo’s advocacy for anti-human-trafficking. In the video, the then-bishop for the Diocese of Chiclayo, Robert Prevost, can be seen speaking passionately about the cause in Spanish.
“With the support of Monsignor Robert Prevost ... we will stand together to prevent this crime,” Caritas said, adding, “We also support this noble cause ... 'no trading of persons.'”
Pope's childhood home outside Chicago
Jaden Davis, a neighbor, mowed the lawn yesterday outside the childhood home of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, in Dolton, Illinois, just south of Chicago's city limits.
Prevost’s father, Louis Prevost, served in the Navy during World War II and worked as a superintendent of schools in the south suburbs of Chicago. The future pope’s mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, was a librarian with a master’s degree in education and had two sisters who were nuns.
What Leo said in his first address as pope
When he appeared on the Loggia of Blessings of the Vatican Basilica yesterday shortly after being elected pope, Leo XIV gave his first “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the thousands of worshippers gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
“Peace be with you all!” he said, adding, “I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter into your heart, to reach your families, all people, wherever they may be, all peoples, all the earth.”
Paying a special tribute to the legacy of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, Leo switched between Italian and Spanish, greeting his diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. He urged his worshippers to “build bridges with dialogue, with encounter, uniting us all so as to be one people always in peace.”
Leo celebrates first Mass as pope
Less than 24 hours after white smoke was seen billowing out of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo XIV is already at work celebrating his inaugural Mass and meeting with Vatican staff. Reporting for "TODAY," NBC’s Lester Holt shares a glimpse at the first American-born pontiff’s journey to the papacy.
Here are Pope Leo XIV's first public engagements
Tomorrow, Pope Leo XVI will meet with cardinals before appearing at the Central Loggia of the Basilica to greet worshippers. Then, on Monday, the new pontiff will meet with the international press, according to his main schedule distributed by the Vatican.
Leo's schedule for the following weeks will be as follows:
- Friday, May 16: Meeting with Diplomatic Corps (Heads of Mission)
- Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET): Mass to mark the beginning of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square
- Tuesday, May 20: Ceremonial mass at the Basilica of St. Paul
- Wednesday, May 21: The pope will hold his first general audience
- Saturday, May 24: The pope will meet with the Roman Curia and Vatican City State Employees
Catholics love the new pope — even if he is American
The new pope’s nationality is certainly a talking point among the bustling crowds in and around the square.
“Everyone is saying, ‘He’s an American, he’s an American,’” said Sister Lucy, 34, from Nigeria, where 12% of the 230 million population — around 35 million people — are Catholic. “But I am happy because to me, first he is a Christian.”
She added, “This morning, we have a new father.”
Leo XIV receives pointed congratulations from the world's warzones
If the late Pope Francis sought to provide moral leadership on the conflicts of our time, the participants in those conflicts experienced a brief moment of unity in sending their congratulations to the new pontiff.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who last week expanded his military offensive in Gaza to capture the whole territory, sought to play up Pope Leo XIV's relationship to Israel's firmest ally. He posted on X on Thursday, saying, “I wish the first Pope from the United States success in fostering hope and reconciliation among all faiths.”
The Palestinian militant group Hamas extended its wishes, saying in a Telegram statement that “we look forward to his continuing the late Pope’s approach of supporting the oppressed.” In neighboring Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said on X that “we pray to God to grant him health, well-being, and wisdom to lead the Church during this important phase of its history.”
Over in eastern Europe, where Russia and Ukraine have been at war for over three years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Telegram, “ I am confident that the constructive dialogue and cooperation established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop based on the Christian values that unite us.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that his country “deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.”
The peripatetic Leo XIV represents a global Catholic church
Though an American national, Pope Leo XIV’s decades spent in Peru are impressing Catholics from around the world.
“I like him because the church is a universal church and now we have somebody who represents that,” said Lodya Dhego Jean Marie, a priest from Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who now lives in northern Italy. “I’m just so happy.”
Lodya Dhego Jean Marie, a priest from Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who now lives in northern Italy. Alexander Smith / NBC News
Leo is seen by many religious experts as someone who will seek to continue Pope Francis’ focus on the church’s geographical “peripheries” — meaning its growth markets of Asia, Africa and Latin America — alongside its declining European base.
Europe's leaders shower the new pope with warm wishes
Congratulatory posts have flooded in from leaders across Europe after the election of Pope Leo XIV, with many referring to the turbulent times in which he ascends to the papacy.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement Thursday that the new pope’s election was “a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally,” while French President Emmanuel Macron called it a “historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful.”
Newly confirmed German Chancellor Merz wrote online that Pope Leo gave “hope and guidance to believers worldwide” as “an anchor for justice and reconciliation.”
Europe's Catholic-majority nations were unsurprisingly thrilled. In Italy — which landlocks the tiny Vatican City — Prim Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her “most sincere wishes” to the new pope, calling his words “a powerful call for peace, brotherhood and responsibility.” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez congratulated the new pope by saying, “may your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his "deep joy." And, in Ireland, Prime Minister Micheal Martin sent his “warm congratulations” and “best wishes” from all Irish people, while also congratulating America, "a country with which Ireland enjoys such a deep and strong relationship."
Mass ends to applause as Pope Leo leaves Sistine Chapel
The cardinals break into applause as organ music echoed around the Sistine Chapel.
Holding a gold crucifix, Pope Leo concluded his first Mass, before exiting the chapel followed shortly afterward by the cardinals.
That marks the end of the first service led by the new pope.
The Vatican's weary throngs take a morning off
The morning after the night before in St. Peter’s Square. Crowds are understandably far thinner than during the apex of the excitement yesterday.
Gone are the security scanners nestled between the colonnades, which kept such a tight control over the heaving masses trying to get into this giant piazza. Instead people can wander in and out freely.
Police officers are silhouetted against St Peters' Basilica this morning. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
The Mass inside is not playing on the jumbotrons, so people will have to wait to hear Pope Leo XIV’s messages. For now they seem content taking pictures, and finding shade from the growing midday warmth.
Leo delivers the Liturgy of the Eucharist
Moments ago, Pope Leo delivered the Eucharist, during which the Holy Communion, or the bread and the wine that Catholics believe is the body and blood of Christ, was handed out.
“Pray, brothers, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father,” he said.
Leo continues sermon by addressing the cardinal-electors
Newly elected Pope Leo today. Vatican Media via AP
Pope Leo addressed the cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel who elected him as the new pontiff the day before: “I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel,” he said in English.
He then continued his sermon in Latin.
Pope Leo concludes homily with a call for humility
During his homily, Pope Leo stressed that the Catholic Church’s missionary outreach around the world was “desperately needed” at a time when the Christian faith was considered “absurd” in many settings.
“Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure,” he added.
But the new pope, recalling the legacy of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, added that “precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed.”
“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” he said.
Concluding his homily by recalling the words of St. Ignatius, Leo called on the Church to show humility by making itself “small” so as not to obscure the glory of Christ.
Chicago Archdiocese predicts Pope Leo XIV will be a ‘voice for the voiceless’
Hours after Pope Leo XIV was elected, Chicago’s Archdiocese predicted that the new pope would be a “voice for the voiceless,” adding that he is going to serve with “great faith.” Father Gregory Sakowicz went on to say that he thinks Pope Leo XIV will “be very strong” on immigration, human rights and the Earth.
Pope Leo, dressed in white and gold robe, delivers his first homily
Pope Leo was dressed in a simple white robe with a gold border and a tall white miter as he held a gold crucifix. He sat on an altar set up at the side of the chapel, where he faced his cardinal electors directly.
As he delivered his first homily, he spoke first in his native English, before switching to Italian.
“Through the ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission. And I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a church, as a community of friends of Jesus believers,” Leo said.
Local souvenir shop sells Pope Leo items
Those souvenir vendors worked fast! A shop in the Vatican City is now selling rosary beads put in boxes with pictures of Pope Leo.
Small white plastic boxes, each with a set of rosary breads, feature a photo on the inside lid, showing Pope waving after he was announced as the new leader of the global Catholic church. The rosaries come in various colors, including dark blue, purple and light pink.
Mass service will be conducted in several languages
This morning’s Mass first reading was delivered from the Book of Revelation in English. The service will be conducted in multiple languages, including a reading in Spanish from the First Epistle of St. Peter.
Pope Leo XIV leads celebratory Mass in Sistine Chapel
Pope Leo XIV has entered the Sistine Chapel to lead Mass after being greeted by the Vatican’s Swiss Guards while the strains of the church's organ and the voices of its choir softly echoed through the chapel.
The choir is singing an opening antiphon from Psalm 46 in the Catholic psalter.
The cardinals who elected the 267th pontiff a day earlier were seen dressed in white traditional white vestments and tall miters, sitting in rows of chairs underneath Michelangelo's vaulted ceiling.
In St. Peter’s Square, huge crowds gathered to celebrate the new pope and watch the service.
In just a few minutes, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass with the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass shortly at the Sistine Chapel at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) with the cardinals who elected him. Afterwards, he will recite the Regina Coeli prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he made his first official appearance as the new pope.
Nuns from across the world gather on Vatican streets to witness history
There may have been no women allowed inside the College of Cardinals as they voted to elect Cardinal Robert Prevost as pope, but there were plenty of female worshippers outside waiting for the result.
A nun prays on St. Peter's Square ahead of the conclave to elect the next pope at the Vatican on Thursday. Stefano Rellandini / AFP - Getty Images
Among the regular pilgrims, tourists and assorted onlookers were groups of nuns. There are around 600,000 Catholic nuns around the world, and they dedicate their lives to a variety of religious services, like charitable work, living in seclusion in monasteries and focusing on prayer.
Taiwan congratulates Pope Leo XIV , says it hopes to deepen ties with the Vatican
The papacy has long had a complicated relationship to the tensions between China and Taiwan. The Holy See has been close with Taipei in recent years and the reign of Pope Leo looks set to be no different, with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te congratulating the new pontiff Friday.
The Vatican officially recognizes self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its breakaway province, and is the only European country to do so.
Lai said Taiwan seeks to promote “various forms of cooperation and exchange,” expressing confidence in the newly elected pope’s leadership. This year marks the the 83th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, and the Vatican.
Lai immediately instructed Taiwan’s Embassy to the Holy See to convey a congratulatory message to Pope Leo XIV after his win, with the president stressing the universal values and “close” exchanges shared between Taipei and the Vatican.
China, an officially atheist country, also congratulated Pope Leo and said Beijing hopes the Vatican will continue to engage in “constructive dialogue” with the Chinese leadership, its foreign ministry said today. China’s state-sanctioned Catholic church said it has extended congratulations to the newly elected pope, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.
New pope’s social media posts offer some insight into his politics
In this day and age, even the holy leave social media trails.
The new pope’s online footprint was quickly dissected Thursday just minutes after he was elected the next head of the Catholic Church, sparking a mixed reaction from some on the right.
Before he became Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost occasionally posted on social media, including some messages that appeared to be critical of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and their worldview.
Vice-President J.D. Vance meeting Pope Francis on Easter Sunday. Vatican Media via AFP - Getty Images file
His most recent activity on X came in mid-April, when he shared a post on his account from a Catholic commentator who called out Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele for laughing about the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland. The post linked to an article published by the Catholic Standard newspaper, in which Bishop Evelio Menjivar asked of Catholics about Abrego Garcia: “Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?”
‘It’s just mind blowing’: Brothers of Pope Leo XIV share their reactions
Louis and John Prevost, older brothers of Pope Leo XIV, share their feelings about his election as pope and settle the debate over whether the new pope is a fan of the Cubs or the White Sox.
White House says it has already heard from Leo’s team
President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday that he had received a call from the new pope’s team.
“They’ve already called. They have already spoken to us, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said when he was asked whether he planned to meet the pope.
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica after his election. Gregorio Borgia / AP
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social Thursday. “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!”
Vice President JD Vance also posted a congratulatory message about the pope’s election.
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!” Vance said in a post on X Thursday.
The new pope is getting right to work
Less than 24 hours after he was elected pope, Leo XIV will have his hands full in the days ahead.
This morning, he will lead Mass for the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) that will be broadcast live on Vatican media channels.
On Sunday, he will pray the Regina Coeli from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon local time (6 a.m. ET).
On Monday, at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), he will meet in the Vatican with journalists.
The boy from the South Side who grew up to become pope
Long before he was pope, Robert Francis Prevost was a boy in Chicago.
He was raised with his brothers on the city’s South Side and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, where this eighth-grade photo was taken.
Pope Leo XIV as a young student, Robert Prevost in 1969. NBC Chicago
Pope Leo pays surprise visit to staff at former residence ahead of first Mass
One of the first things Pope Leo did as the new pope this morning was pay a surprise visit to greet staff at his former residence at the Sant’Uffizio Palace, just outside the Vatican.
He will return to the Sistine Chapel with the other cardinals at about 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) to lead his first holy Mass as pontiff.
Before he became the 267th pope, the American Pope Leo was known to the world as Robert Prevost. His first words as leader of 1.4 billion Catholics on Thursday evening were “may peace be with all of you.”
Remembering Leo’s time in Peru
Pope Leo XIV may be the first American pope, but he spent many years of his life in Peru. Take a look back at his time in South America and the reaction from the country.
Not all Americans were looking for a U.S.-born pope
Rebecca Tabiani, 48, likes the sound of what she’s heard about Pope Leo XIV. But Tabiani, a New Jersey native now living in Rome, is “disappointed” with the decision, agreeing with the long-held belief within the Vatican that the United States holds too much power as it is.
“I don’t like the message it sends to the world,” said Tabiani, who works in forestry. “I think it should have gone elsewhere,” she added, because “as an American living abroad I am ashamed of what’s going on at home right now.”
New Pope is a ‘companion to those on the margins of society,’ friend says
Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, prior provincial of the Midwestern Augustinians, who has known Pope Leo since they were classmates at Villanova, called his friend “a man of deep integrity, a true listener, and a companion to those on the margins of society.
Pizzo said Pope Leo is a “bridge-builder” and that he is “honored that he is one of our own, a brother formed in the restless heart of the Augustinian Order.”
Who is Robert Francis Prevost, Chicago’s very own Pope Leo XIV?
For centuries, the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church were largely Italians until a cardinal from Poland was elected pope in 1978 and then succeeded by a German and an Argentine.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time. Tiziana Fabi / AFP - Getty Images
Now, for the first time, the pope’s an American who has taken the name Leo XIV.
And he’s from the South Side of Chicago, home of the beleaguered White Sox, the Daley political dynasty and, until they decamped for Washington and eventually the White House, Michelle and Barack Obama.
Prevost, who has spent much of his career ministering in Peru and leading the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was born Robert Francis Prevost on Sept. 14, 1955, at what was then called Mercy Hospital, at the corner of South Prairie Avenue and 34th Street.
Leo XIV elected as first American pope
On the second day of the conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first-ever American pope. White smoke billowed out of the chimney above the Sistine Chapel Thursday evening. NBC News’ Lester Holt reports 150,000 people streamed into St. Peter’s Square to catch a glimpse of the new pope.
