Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary and former head of the Vatican’s bishop office, has been elected pope—the first American in the Church’s 2,000-year history—taking the name Leo XIV.

In his first address from St. Peter’s Basilica, the 69-year-old emphasized peace and missionary work.

A former leader in the Augustinian order, Prevost was appointed to a key Vatican role by Pope Francis in 2023, giving him high visibility ahead of the conclave, where 135 cardinals selected him in a secret vote, the Associated Press has reported.

Written by B.C. Begley