Conclave Picks Robert Prevost, Who Will Be Pope Leo

“Habemus Papam.” We Have a Pope.

After days of feverish speculation American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the 267th leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. 

“Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum. Habemus Papam [I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope,” said French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti as he introduced the man who will take over from the beloved Pope Francis, who died on April 21.

“He will take the name Leo the 14th” he said in Latin to rapturous cheers from crowds that had been gathering in St. Peter’s Square since white smoke poured from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, where the election took place, a little more than an hour before.