Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old from Chicago appeared for the first time as pontiff on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering a brief but powerful greeting: “Peace be with you all.”

Prevost becomes the first American to lead the global Catholic Church, a historic milestone for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His election followed a two-day conclave of 133 cardinals, making his selection one of the swiftest in recent history.

In his inaugural address to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and outlined a vision for a “missionary church” focused on charity, dialogue, and inclusion.

“We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” he said in Italian. “Let us show our charity to others and be in dialog with love.”

Although American by birth, Pope Leo’s long missionary service in Peru appears to have eased traditional hesitations within the Vatican about appointing a pope from the U.S. due to its political influence. He served as a bishop in Chiclayo and previously led the Augustinian religious order globally. He also holds Peruvian citizenship.

Prior to his election, he headed the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office responsible for vetting and recommending bishop appointments worldwide. His broad international experience, particularly in Latin America, made him a respected figure across ecclesial lines.

Pope Leo is expected to continue many of Francis’ reforms, including the church’s commitment to social justice, outreach to the marginalized, and institutional transparency. Known for his diplomatic leadership style, he is described as calm, capable, and deeply committed to the Gospel mission.

His election comes at a pivotal time. The Catholic Church faces numerous challenges, from internal divisions over doctrine and direction, to external pressures from ongoing geopolitical conflicts, migration crises, and the unresolved legacy of clerical sexual abuse.

On that issue, Leo has expressed a need for continued vigilance and reform. “There are places where good work has already been done… but I believe there is still much to learn,” he said in a prior interview.