BREAKING: Cardinal Robert Prevost elected pope; takes name ‘Pope Leo XIV’

Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Christine Rousselle - published on 05/08/25

Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 266th successor to St. Peter and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

POPE LEO XIV

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Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, and took the pontifical name of "Pope Leo XIV."

His election was announced by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the Cardinal Proto-Deacon, at 7:13 p.m. Rome time.

The announcement came a little more than an hour after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel at 6:08 p.m. Rome time. Pope Leo XIV was elected on the second day of the 2025 conclave, likely on the fourth ballot.

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