White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel as Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, was announced as the new head of the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old from Chicago was elected in just one day by the College of Cardinals, becoming the 267th pope and successor to Pope Francis.
Ordained at age 27, Pope Leo has spent much of his life abroad, including missionary work in Peru. He became a cardinal in 2023 and is known for his humility and commitment to social issues. “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom,” he once said.
A close friend described him as “a very simple person who is always keen to help others.” Like Pope Francis, he is passionate about helping migrants and the poor.
