LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Billowing white smoke from the Sistine Chapel signified the search for a new Pope is over. Thursday afternoon Cardinal Robert Prevost, an American missionary born in Chicago who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. He will be named Leo XIV.

What You Need To Know

  • Robert Prevost has been elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church

  • The Chicago-born missionary took the name Leo XIV

  • Bishops took just over a day to select Pope Francis’ success
  • Louisville Archbishop Shelton Fabre said he does not personally know the new Pope, but believes he will succeed in his new role
Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

“I must admit, I never thought I would live to see the day than an American would be elected pope, but here we are today,” said Archbishop Shelton Fabre, who leads the Archdiocese of Louisville. “I hope he will continue to reach out to people on the margins. I hope he will continue to lift people up.”

Fabre said he does not personally know the new Pope, but believes he will succeed in his new role. At least two-thirds of the 133 bishops would have cast their ballots for Pope Leo XIV.

The Louisville Archbishop said the selection of an American bishop is historic.

“I think it is a time of great joy for Catholics in this country to know that our faith here in this country, which is a relatively young country, a relatively young faith, has now produced a gift for all Catholics in the world,” he said.

The archdiocese will hold a Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV on Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Assumption in downtown Louisville.

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