Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful in St. Peter’s Square shortly after his election to the papacy, Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

CNA Staff, May 9, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

On May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV by the College of Cardinals as the 266th successor of St. Peter, the first pope from the United States.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025 / Vatican Media / Screenshot

CNA Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 05:23 am (CNA).

LIVE UPDATES: First Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete’s Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Rome Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 04:57 am (CNA).

Just hours after being elected the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has three appointments on his agenda

Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 17:26 pm (CNA).

“It is with great joy that I welcome the election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV,” Michael Warsaw said in a statement.

“What a great honor for our country,” President Trump said of the election of the Catholic Church’s new Chicago-born pope on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 16:32 pm (CNA).

U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, along with scores of other elected officials throughout the country have expressed joy and excitement over the selection of the first American pope.

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 16:12 pm (CNA).

Cardinals elected Leo to the supreme pontificate on Thursday afternoon, with white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel signaling the closing of the conclave.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. / Credit: Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 15:52 pm (CNA).

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, May 8 — the first pope from the United States. 

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete’s Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 15:32 pm (CNA).

The 69-year-old new pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the first pope from the United States on Thursday.

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete’s Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 14:32 pm (CNA).

Today, May 8, the first American was elected taking the name Pope Leo XIV — here is a prayer for the new pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 12:11 pm (CNA).

White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:09 p.m. Rome time on Thursday, signaling that the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to Pope Francis.