White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 p.m. Vatican time, signaling that after just two days and four ballots, the College of Cardinals had reached the consensus to elect the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The new pontiff, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will take the name Pope Leo XIV.

This marks the third straight conclave to conclude on its second day—following the elections of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013—signaling a striking pattern of fast-moving consensus in the modern papacy.

Prevost, age 69, was born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he served as a missionary in Peru for decades, eventually becoming Bishop of Chiclayo. Known for his pastoral humility, cross-cultural fluency, and theological depth, he was appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023—tasked with overseeing global bishop appointments. Though not a household name before the conclave, Prevost earned quiet respect across ideological lines as a bridge-builder with deep missionary experience and curial competence, appearing with moderate leanings.

His election as the 267th pope marks the first time a US-born cardinal has ascended to the papacy and underscores the College of Cardinals’ turn toward a moderate, globally experienced, and pastorally grounded leader.

By choosing the name Leo XIV, Prevost likely pays tribute to Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903), a pioneering figure known for bridging tradition and modernity through intellectual leadership and bold social teaching. Leo XIII famously issued Rerum Novarum, the Church’s foundational document on workers’ rights and social justice, earning him the reputation as the “Pope of the Working Class.” By aligning with that legacy, Pope Leo XIV signals a papacy rooted in pastoral realism, global solidarity, and reform-minded continuity—reflecting his own background as a missionary bishop, curial administrator, and advocate for a Church that listens, walks with the marginalized, and engages the world with clarity and compassion.

While the results remains under secrecy, it is a must for a successful conclave to gather two-thirds of the votes of the attending cardinals to elect a pope. This means Pope Leo XIV was able to win at least 89 votes from the 133 cardinals that participated in the long-standing tradition.

The announcement was delivered by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, who stepped onto the Loggia of the Blessings and proclaimed: “Habemus Papam!” Minutes later, Pope Leo XIV appeared before thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square and delivered his first Urbi et Orbi blessing as the new spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

Head of church and state

As pope, the new Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church also serves as the head of state of Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world that generates an estimated €300–€400 million annually, with its largest revenue stream—the Vatican Museums—bringing in over €100 million per year.

Additional income comes from global donations, which in recent years have declined to around €50–€60 million annually, and from real estate holdings across Europe that yield tens of millions in rental income. The Vatican Bank manages roughly €5 billion in assets, though its profits are modest and largely reinvested or used to cover deficits.

The Holy See’s 2023 operating budget projected €885 million in expenses with an ongoing but shrinking deficit, reflecting reforms under Pope Francis aimed at transparency and financial sustainability.

This conclave was convened following the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected in 2013 as the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope. His decade-long pontificate was marked by reformist zeal, social justice advocacy, and efforts to decentralize the Church’s governance.

Missed the papabile

Heading into the 2025 conclave, Vatican watchers closely followed a diverse group of papabili—cardinals considered most likely to succeed to the papacy. Interestingly, Prevost isn’t one of the strong names floated heading to the Catholic traditional vote:

• Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (age 69, Italy) – Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
  Moderate. Seen as the leading continuity candidate, Zuppi blends pastoral sensitivity, diplomatic finesse, and deep ties to the Francis-era reforms. Widely respected in Europe and considered unifying.
• Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (age 67, Philippines) – Pro-Prefect for Evangelization and former Archbishop of Manila.
  Liberal-leaning. Charismatic and globally known, Tagle embodies Francis’ outreach to the margins. However, some say curial isolation and perceptions of inexperience in Vatican politics may reduce his odds.
• Cardinal Pietro Parolin (age 70, Italy) – Secretary of State of the Holy See.
  Moderate. A powerful insider and skilled diplomat, Parolin offers stability and global diplomatic credibility. Some view him as a “safe” compromise but question whether he inspires a spiritual vision.
• Cardinal Péter Erdő (age 72, Hungary) – Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest.
  Conservative-leaning. Well-respected canonist and theologian, but seen as out of sync with current ecclesial direction.
• Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (age 60, Italy) – Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
  Moderate. Respected for his role in interfaith diplomacy, but viewed more as a strong regional leader than papal material at this stage.

Following his election, Pope Leo XIV now steps into a global Church confronting profound internal and external pressures—from theological polarization and declining vocations to unresolved abuse crises and a world increasingly indifferent to organized religion.

His leadership, tone, and initial appointments will offer the first clues as to whether his papacy will continue Francis’ trajectory, reassert traditional stances, or chart an entirely new course for Catholicism in the 21st century.

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