The Catholic Church Has Elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope

Prevost, who will take the name Leo XIV, was elected as the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Share
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
The Catholic Church Has Elected Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope
Copy

Live video feed from the Associated Press.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and led the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.

White smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney Thursday at 6:07 p.m. local time, signaling that a pontiff had been elected to lead the Catholic Church.

Read more updated news on the Associated Press.

As the Red Sox struggle and the Patriots stir drama, World Cup matches and fan events offer Rhode Island and Massachusetts a welcome summer distraction
From Nick-a-Nee’s 30th anniversary bash to ‘The NeverEnding Story’ under the stars, here are local events to keep on your radar
With Ghana’s World Cup team set to arrive Friday, local organizers are planning celebrations that blend soccer, culture, food, music and community pride
Supporters say Rhode Island needs its own voter protections as federal safeguards weaken. Top lawmakers say the bill needs more work and will have to wait until 2027
A daring nighttime raid in Narragansett Bay came before the Boston Tea Party and helped push the colonies toward a united response to Britain
The former congressman, whose district included New Bedford and other South Coast communities, was remembered as brilliant, fearless, funny and deeply committed to public service