White smoke filled the skies on Thursday as the papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel signaled that a new pope had been selected. This announcement thrilled Catholics worldwide who had faithfully anticipated it, and surprised everyone by picking an American.
According to the Vatican, the next pope selected is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the 267th Pope. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
President Donald Trump, who recently attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, immediately reacted to the news on Truth Social on Thursday afternoon, highlighting that Prevost is the first American Pope to serve in this capacity.
He wrote, “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. 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!”
According to Fox News, 133 Cardinals deliberated on this decision for about 24 hours before making their decision.
