Leo XIV’s predecessor Pope Francis, birth name Jorge Maria Bergoglio, appointed 80% of the cardinals who voted to elect one of them as the next pope. Most of Bergoglio’s appointees are younger and more racially and geographically diverse than the men they replaced, and many appear to be far more progressive than he was.

Eire suggested that one of the reasons Pope Leo was chosen is that he is not a “full-blown American.” Despite being born in Chicago and graduating from Villanova University, Pope Leo is a Peruvian citizen who spent over two decades in Peru as a missionary and as a bishop.

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected the first American pope in history. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.

President Donald Trump said the selection of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost to be pope is "a great honor" for the U.S., noting he will be the first American-born pontiff.

Wearing white vestments, Leo processed into the Sistine Chapel and blessed the cardinals as he approached the altar and Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” behind it. He delivered the opening prayers and hymns in Latin,

Pope Leo XIV has personally invited President Bola Tinubu to Vatican. He gave historical reason for the invitation extended to the Nigerian president.

The new pope will preside over an inauguration Mass on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican.

Louis Prevost defended his inflammatory social media posts, but said he’s been attempting to "bite my tongue" since his younger brother’s surprise election as pope