Trump congrats Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on becoming first American pope
American cardinal elected as new pope, Diocese of Orlando
Cardinal Robert Prevost announced as first American pope, taking name Leo XIV. FOX 35's Kelsie Cairns is taking in the reactions from the Catholic Diocese of Orlando.
Cardinal Robert Prevost was chosen by the College of Cardinals on Thursday as the new leader of the global Catholic Church and will assume the name Pope Leo XIV.
New pope announced: Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV
The College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost to become the next leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. He'll take the name Pope Leo XIV. The news came just over an hour after white smoke finally billowed from the Sistine Chapel late Thursday afternoon, signaling to the world that the papal conclave had chosen a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month. The papal conclave began Wednesday afternoon and lasted 25 hours, 37 minutes and 58 seconds.
President Donald Trump took to social media Thursday to congratulate Prevost, who will become the first American pope to lead the Catholic Church in its 2,000-year history.
What they're saying:
In a statement posted to Trump's Truth Social platform, the U.S. president 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!" he added.
Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost?
What we know:
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is a Chicago native born in 1955.
After joining the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977 and making his solemn vows in 1981, he earned degrees in mathematics, divinity, and canon law—including a doctorate from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
Prevost was ordained in 1982 and began his pastoral and academic service in Peru in 1985, where he served in roles such as chancellor, seminary rector, canon law professor, and judicial vicar.
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. White smoke was seen over the V
In 1999, Prevost was elected provincial prior of the Augustinians in Chicago, and just a few years later, he became prior general of the worldwide order, serving two terms until 2013.
He then returned to Peru at Pope Francis’ request to serve as apostolic administrator—and later bishop—of the Diocese of Chiclayo.
RELATED | Watch live: New pope elected as white smoke rises from chimney
In January 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican role responsible for episcopal appointments worldwide.
He was made a cardinal in September of the same year.
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The Source: The information in this story came from President Donald Trump's statement on Truth Social. Additional details were reported by the FOX TV Digital Team and were a combination of Vatican announcements, Catholic Church procedures, historical records on papal conclaves, and biographical details about Pope Francis drawn from public sources such as the Vatican press office, previous papal encyclicals, and media coverage of his papacy.