Robert Francis Prevost Elected As the First American Pope

Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time a pontiff has originated from the United States.

Prevost secured the necessary two-thirds majority to be elected pope, likely achieving this on the fourth ballot after three earlier unsuccessful attempts — one on Wednesday and two on Thursday morning. As the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, church bells rang out and thousands in St. Peter's Square celebrated by chanting, "Long live the pope!" Cardinal Dominique Mamberti formally announced Prevost's election from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Thursday evening, just about an hour after the crowning white smoke appeared.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, who is 91 and exceeded the age limit of 80 for conclave participation, expressed earlier to Italian media his hope to see white smoke by Thursday evening. Why Did the First Day of the Conclave Take So Long?: The voting on Wednesday extended longer than expected, with the initial release of smoke occurring an hour later than the first black smoke during the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. Mathew Schmalz, editor of the Journal of Global Catholicism and a professor at the College of the Holy Cross, suggested that the delay might be due to the large number of cardinals meeting one another for the first time, positing that this conclave might take a day longer than usual. While the length of Wednesday's voting remains unclear, Schmalz voiced concerns about potential issues facing the conclave. This election marks the largest and most diverse conclave in history, with 133 electors, surpassing the 115 participants in the 2005 and 2013 conclaves, which could also contribute to a longer voting process. Leading Candidates for the Papacy: Vatican analysts indicated that there was no clear favorite for the papacy. Among the top candidates were Italy's Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state known for his more moderate views compared to Francis, and the Philippines' Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, who has been compared to Francis for his progressive stances and advocacy for the impoverished. Parolin and Tagle rank as the leading contenders on various betting platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, where millions have been wagered on the outcome. Other potential candidates include several Italian cardinals, such as Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Matteo Zuppi, along with Congo's Fridolin Ambongo, Hungary's Peter Erdo, Ghana's Peter Turkson, and France's Jean-Marc Aveline.

How Does the Conclave Function And What Is Its Duration?: During the conclave, cardinals under the age of 80 will remain secluded and cast four votes daily until one candidate achieves a two-thirds majority. The conclave begins with a mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday afternoon, after which the cardinals retire to the Sistine Chapel. If no pope is elected on a given day, the cardinals will stay overnight in Vatican guesthouses and resume voting the following day. Each cardinal has a designated desk equipped with papers that read, "Eligo in summum pontificem," meaning "I choose as supreme pontiff." How Is the Election of a New Pope Announced?: Once voting concludes, the ballots are burned, with chemicals added to create either black smoke, indicating no pope has been elected, or white smoke, signifying a new pontiff has been chosen. Observers eagerly await the smoke's color after each voting round. Significance of This Conclave: Experts assert that this conclave could influence the future direction of the Catholic Church, determining whether it continues along the progressive path set by Francis or reverts to more conservative leadership that may undo some of his reforms. Francis was known for his polarizing approach, adopting a more inclusive attitude toward LGBTQ Catholics and advancing women's roles in church leadership, which received both global acclaim and conservative backlash. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden noted that some cardinals aspire to elect a successor who will continue Francis's legacy, while others are campaigned for a shift back to traditional practices. Giovanni Battista Re, in a homily on Wednesday, acknowledged that the new pope faces a "difficult and complex turning point in history," and he prayed for a leader who prioritizes "the good of the church and humanity." Interesting Tidbit: Some cardinals prepared for the conclave by watching the film "Conclave," an Oscar-winning drama released just two months prior. According to a cleric who participated in the conclave, some found the portrayal in the film to be "remarkably accurate." Following the death of Francis, viewership of "Conclave" surged by 283% within one day, as reported by Luminate.

Pope Francis passed away at age 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, after battling health complications that led to his longest hospitalization during his papacy. Earlier this year, he was treated for bilateral pneumonia and bronchitis; Vatican doctors ultimately stated that he died from a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure.