Robert Prevost, an missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

The 2025 papal conclave at the Vatican ended with the election of American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. Here's what to know about him.

For the first time, an American will lead the Catholic Church. On Thursday, the Vatican revealed that Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected by the papal conclave. He soon after addressed a jubilant crowd at St. Peter's Square by his new adopted name: Pope Leo XIV.