American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV.

Something very special just happened at the Vatican City, the home of the Catholic Church in Rome. A new Pope has been chosen! When a Pope dies or retires, cardinals from all over the world come together to pick a new one. They pray, talk, and then vote in a special meeting called a conclave. When they agree on someone, white smoke rises from a chimney above the Sistine Chapel. This is how the world knows that a new Pope has been elected.

This time, the cardinals chose someone from the United States: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. He is now the new Pope and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV. When a Pope is elected, he picks a new name to show that he is beginning a new chapter, just like when Jesus gave some of his disciples new names.

Pope Leo XIV follows the last Pope(Pope Francis), who has passed away. The previous Pope was a very important and kind leader for the Catholic Church. He helped people grow in their faith, taught about love and peace, and reminded everyone to care for the poor and the planet. Now, it’s Pope Leo XIV’s turn to continue that mission.

This is a big moment because it’s rare to have a Pope from America. Many Popes in the past were from Europe. Now, millions of Catholics around the world will look to Pope Leo XIV for guidance, hope, and leadership in their faith.