Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from the United States, has been elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church following the passing of Pope Francis last month. He will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
On Thursday afternoon, a plume of white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, the traditional signal to the world that the College of Cardinals had successfully chosen a new pontiff with the required two-thirds consensus.
The voting cardinals, numbering 133, were locked inside the chapel as part of the highly confidential papal selection process known as the conclave.
Speculation about who might emerge as the next pope had been widespread in the days leading up to the vote, though accurate predictions were elusive. The uncertainty stemmed largely from the fact that nearly 80% of the current cardinals eligible to vote were appointed during Francis’ time as pope, meaning the field was shaped by relatively recent elevations.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as secretary of state during Francis’ papacy and led the conclave proceedings, had been widely mentioned as a top candidate. While seen as a skilled diplomat with global experience, critics argue that his administrative style may not align with the pastoral leadership many Catholics expect in a pope.
Another frequently mentioned figure was Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines. At 67, he has championed many of the reform-minded policies that characterized Francis’ leadership. Tagle’s engaging and accessible public persona has drawn comparisons to Francis, especially as the Church continues to grow in Southeast Asia—a region he has emphasized as crucial to Catholicism’s future.
Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo was also seen as a serious contender. At age 65, he has advocated for a stronger church presence in underrepresented areas, especially in Africa and Asia. However, Ambongo’s traditional views place him on the more conservative end of the spectrum compared to some of the other names floated during the conclave.
With his election, Pope Leo XIV becomes the 267th pontiff in the Church’s history. He succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after dealing with prolonged respiratory issues that eventually led to a stroke and cardiac failure.
This particular conclave was concluded fairly quickly—though not unusually so—matching the pace of the last three papal elections, all of which wrapped up by the second day.
{Matzav.com}