New Pope Elected ​​

New Pope Elected ​​

On May 8, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling the election of a new pope, Vatican News reported.

Cardinal Dominic Mamberti announced the new pope from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. According to him, for the first time a person from the Americas has become the head of the Catholic Church.

The new pope is Robert Prevost, 69, an American-Peruvian citizen and a member of the Augustinian Order. He took the name Leo XIV. Although he was born in Chicago, he spent most of his career in Peru. In recent years, he has headed a Vatican dicastery.

The conclave began on May 7, and the cardinals elected him by secret ballot. The new pope became the third pope to be elected on the second day of the conclave.