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.

After a life-altering ski accident, University of Rhode Island researcher Jake Bonney is charting a new course in ocean engineering — pioneering remote ROV operations and inspiring others through his comeback story
Spotted lanternflies have been hopping around Rhode Island this year. Maybe you’ve been told to squish them when you see them. But why? This week on Possibly we’re taking a closer look at our new insect neighbors
Applicants who’ve already navigated local approvals object to 60-day window state regulators tacked on to timeline
The Ocean State ranks first in general government administration and near the top for public safety spending, while correctional overtime continues to drive costs higher, according to a new RIPEC report