US Cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope: New Pope is Leo XIV

Following the passing of the last spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of Vatican State, Pope Francis, on April 21, the position was declared "vacant" (Sede Vacante). In the Vatican, the cardinals, who hold the most important clerical position after the pope, determined the new pope during the afternoon session of the second day of the papal election.

It was understood that the 267th pope of the Catholic Church had been determined when white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

The new Pope is 69-year-old US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, and Prevost has gone down in history as the first US pope.

In his first speech, US Pope Prevost called for peace for all peoples.

Following the announcement that the new pope was American, Trump stated, "The first US pope is a great honor."

It is known that the new pope was elected by receiving at least two-thirds (89) of the votes from the 133 cardinals.

Many people waiting in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the smoke to appear experienced great joy upon seeing that the color of the smoke was white, and some citizens could not hold back their tears.

Within one hour of the white smoke appearing, the new pope was introduced to the world from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

The new pope was presented to the world by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, who holds the title of "Protodeacon," from the main balcony with the Latin phrase "Habemus Papam (We have a pope)."

While more than 200 of the 266 popes in the Catholic Church to date have been Italian, the most recent Conclave in 2013 saw the first pope from the Americas elected, with the Argentine Francis becoming pope.