Prevost surprises as first US pope, takes name Leo XIV

People line up to enter St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on the first day of conclave to elect the new pope, as Cardinals are displayed on a screen, as seen from Rome, Italy May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Cardinal Robert Prevost, a long-time missionary in Latin America, was elected as the surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first U.S. pope and taking the name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen him as a successor to Francis, who died last month.