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Investing.com -- The Roman Catholic Church has named U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost as its new leader on Thursday. He will take the name Pope Leo XIV. He will become the first U.S. pope.
The decision about the new pontiff was announced shortly after white smoke was seen flooding from the Sistine Chapel roof. It comes two days after 133 Catholic cardinals from all corners of the earth were sequestered for the decision.
The choice was announced as large crowds flooded into St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, chanting “long live the pope!”
The election of the new pope follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, after he battled double pneumonia earlier in the year. His official cause of death was listed as stroke and cardiac arrest, the Vatican said. Pope Francis had been the pontiff since March 2013.
The Roman Catholic Church is the world’s largest Christian religion, with 1.4 billion members, but other Christian religions also take spiritual direction and guidance from the pope.
As the successor to Saint Peter, the Pope’s job is to uphold the continuity of the Church’s tradition and doctrine while also addressing modern global issues from a moral and ethical perspective.
Once elected, the Pope rules until he dies or, in rare circumstances, resigns. The most recent pope to leave before death was Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned in 2013 due to age and health concerns. He was Pope Francis’ predecessor.
U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate the new pope.
"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope," Trump said. "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!"