After two days of decision making, the Vatican city has elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away last month at age 88. The conclave has elected Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Leo XIV.
Pope Leo was born in Chicago, 1955, making him the first US born to receive such a position. He also served in Peru for several years, even earning its citizenship.
His priesthood began when he became a novice in 1977, was ordained priest in 1982, appointed as bishop in 2023, and promoted to archbishop in 2023.
Now, he has become the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, with Catholics followers over 1 billion around the world.
The U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated him for bringing honor to the nation. However, Pope Leo did not seem to see eye to eye with the president and his administration.
For years, Pope Leo has been criticizing Trump’s policy over immigration. He also criticized Vice President JD Vance over his interpretation of Jesus’ teachings last February.