White Smoke Rises: Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel- the traditional signal that a new pope had been elected.

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Shortly afterward, Cardinal Robert Prevost made his first public appearance as the new Pope on Thursday, 8 May, stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

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This marked the decision of the 133 cardinal electors, who selected him as the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away recently.

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"Peace be with you all," Prevost said to the cheering crowd in fluent Italian. He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address.

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Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV. The first American to hold the position, he brings both missionary roots and deep Vatican experience.

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He becomes the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church, following Pope Francis, who was the first from Latin America who led the church for 12 years.

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