Rumors had already started circulating within the Vatican’s halls well before the familiar plume of white smoke drifted into the evening air.
Many anticipated this conclave to be unlike any other—charged with political tension, unusually rapid in decision, and possibly swayed by unseen influences beyond the walls of the Sistine Chapel.
When American-born Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV, it wasn’t just his American heritage that caught attention—it was the timing of his election, the tone of the response, and the immediate waves of reaction that followed.
On a Thursday evening, white smoke signaled the election of a new leader for the Catholic Church. At 69 years old, Robert Francis Prevost was chosen and took the papal name Leo XIV, becoming the first pope in over 100 years to adopt the name Leo.
While Catholics around the globe celebrated the announcement, the response has not been universally positive. Certain factions, including some supporters aligned with MAGA, have voiced criticism on social media regarding the new pontiff.
The conclave of cardinals gathered for only two days before the iconic white smoke confirmed their decision. Shortly afterward, Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to the cheers of thousands below in St. Peter’s Square. His choice of the name Leo XIV continues the legacy of thirteen previous popes who bore the same title.
Robert Francis Prevost’s election as Pope Leo XIV marks a significant milestone for the Catholic Church. As the first American to take the name Leo in more than a century, his appointment has inspired both celebration and debate. His papacy begins amid a mixture of optimism and controversy, with observers worldwide keenly awaiting how he will guide the Church through these complex times.