UPDATE – Cardinal of Chicago Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the first American pope and picked the name Pope Leo XIV.
The 69-year-old is the 267 successor of St. Peter. He was the leader of the Vatican office for bishop appointments and a bishop in Peru where he became a naturalized citizen.
In a statement, Bishop of Fargo John Folda says the Dioceses of Fargo joins “in celebration at the election of our new Holy Father” adding they promise “prayers for him and his papacy.”
Pope Leo XIV appears to have some opposing views from the Trump administration. A review of his posts on X shows he frequently used social media to subtly push back on the administration and its policies. The Pope shared articles and posts disputing Vice President Vance’s interpretation of the Christian order of love; criticized “anti-immigrant rhetoric”; and spoke out against the death penalty as well as Congress handling of gun laws.
Pope Leo XIV used his debut address to emphasize unity.
VATICAN CITY – White smoke is rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signifying that a new pope has been elected.
It’s unclear if the candidate to succeed Pope Francis was selected on the fourth or fifth round of voting. One hundred 33 cardinals were eligible to cast a ballot. A candidate needed 89 votes to become pope.
Thousands of people outside the chapel are giving a thunderous cheer. The identity of the new Pope should be revealed soon.
