Historic First: Catholic Church Elects U.S. Pope
By: Wise News Network Staff
Vatican City (WNN)- For the first time in its 2,000-year history, the Catholic Church has elected an American Citizen, Cardinal Robert Provost, as its new Pope. This historic moment took place on May 8th, 2025. He has officially chosen the name Pope Leo XIV.
How The New Pope was Chosen
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21st, 2025, cardinals of the Catholic Church entered a period known as sede vacante, meaning “the seat is vacant”. During that time, the Cardinals, known as the “princes of the church,” gathered for a papal conclave that began on May 7th. This conclave is a gathering where they officially choose the new pope who will serve.
The College of Cardinals currently has 252 members, but only Cardinals under the age of 80 can vote in the conclave. This year, 133 cardinal electors gathered in the Sistine Chapel to vote secretly. They voted in multiple rounds using paper ballots, with a two-thirds majority required to choose the next pope.
Once Cardinal Robert Provost received the necessary votes and accepted the role, he chose his papal name. White smoke was released from the chapel’s chimney. Letting the world know that he had been officially elected as pope.
Senior cardinal Dominique Mamberti appeared on St Peter’s balcony to announce the new Pope to cheering crowds as thousands gathered in the square below, saying the famous Latin words: “Habemus Papam”, which means “we have a pope”
The vote came on the second day of the papal election process known as the conclave. Church experts had named other possible candidates and had not expected an American to win.
Pope Leo XIV’s First Official Address
As he appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV gave his First Official Address, speaking only in Italian and Spanish, languages he has used throughout his career.
In his multilingual address, Pope Leo XIV’s first words, when translated to English, were “Peace be with all of you!” He expressed his desire for peace to enter every heart, family, as well as the whole earth.
“Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was 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 and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.“
Pope Leo XIV continued his address by speaking about God’s unconditional love. He echoed Pope Francis’s hopeful message that good will overcome evil. Ultimately, He called for the Church to be united and have courage as they follow Christ. He stressed their role in bringing Christ’s light to the world.
Pope Leo XIV then thanked the College of Cardinals for their trust. He promised to lead a united Church that would be dedicated to seeking peace and justice and to sharing the Gospel.
He shared his vision for a missionary church. “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges (and) dialogue, always open to receive (people), like this square, with open arms – everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.”
His address concluded with a prayer. Praying for his new mission, the whole Church, and peace in the world. His final words were “Let us ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.”
More about The New Pope
Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is a Chicago native born on September 14th, 1955, making him 69 years old. He served as a missionary for two decades in Peru, covering the period from 2015 to 2023, when he served as bishop of Chiclayo. His relation to the country was further strengthened in 2015 when he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen, which gave him dual citizenship. In 2023, Pope Francis brought Prevost to the Vatican to run the Vatican’s office of bishops. An office that selects and manages bishops globally.
He spent much of his life outside of the United States. Ordained in 1982 at 27, he received his doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In Peru, he was a missionary, priest, teacher, and bishop. He also speaks Spanish and Italian.
Reactions from Around the World
Many World Leaders have taken to social media to congratulate Pope Leo XIV. U.S. President Donald Trump posted his congratulations to the new Pope on Truth Social.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” Trump said. “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!”
U.S Vice President J.D. Vance, who met with Pope Francis in the Vatican a day before his passing, shared his own message, celebrating the announcement.
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!” Vance posted on X, “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
Other Leaders Also offered their support. French President Emmanuel Macron called May 8 “a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful” in a post on X.
“To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the world, I extend a message of fraternity,” Macron said. “May this new Pontificate be one of peace and hope.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Leo on X “This is a moment of joy and hope for Catholics all over the world,” Albanese wrote. “May God bless Pope Leo XIV and may his papacy advance the cause of peace and justice, in the service of all humanity.”
The Challenges Facing the New Pope
Pope Leo XIV will be under a lot of pressure as he begins leading the Catholic Church. One of the many problems he faces is the Church’s handling of sexual abuse by priests. While many abuse victims agree they saw progress under Pope Francis, who spent a lot of time listening to their accounts, they believe reforms did not go far enough. They want stronger action.
He will also be facing pressure to make the Church more welcoming and inclusive. Some want women to have more leadership roles. Pope Francis was clear that he wanted women to have more opportunities, but he resisted the idea that they needed to be part of the church hierarchy. It is up to Pope Leo XIV to decide if they push this agenda forward or change directions.
Others want the Church to be more accepting of LGBTQ+ people. Pope Francis had allowed blessings for same-sex couples. However, that decision caused disagreements among Church leaders, especially in different parts of the world. As African bishops collectively rejected blessing same sex couples, saying, “It would cause confusion and would be in direct contradiction to the cultural ethos of African communities.” How welcome the LGBTQ+ community feels in the church will depend somewhat on decisions made by Pope Leo XIV.
What the Future Holds Under Pope Leo XIV
With the appointment of its first American Pope, Leo XIV, the Catholic Church has officially made history. This change has many people thinking about the consequences of the shift. He will have to address multiple urgent issues. The Church has members with various opinions around the globe, and the new Pope will have to find ways to bring them together.
Pope Leo XIV has already stated that he wishes to pursue peace and engage the people. His handling of these pivotal issues will determine the outlook of the Catholic Church in the next few years.
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