Voting less than two days today, May confirmed Prevost – whose papal name will be Pope Leo XIV – as the new head of the Catholic church in what marks a historic event as the 69-year-old becomes the first ever American to occupy the post.
He replaces Pope Francis, who had been the pope between 2013 until 2025, before passing away last month following a protracted stay in hospital.
The 88-year-old passed on Easter Monday; following a burial attended by political and religious dignitaries from around the globe, the cardinals in Vatican City assembled to cast their votes.
White smoke started to rise from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, and it was obvious they had made a hasty decision.
Pope Leo appeared on the chapel’s balcony an hour later to welcome the thousands of fervent followers in attendance.
