Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old American, has been elected pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time an American will lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Elected on the second day of the conclave, his selection was signaled by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel. Appearing on St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, he delivered a message of peace, spoke in multiple languages, and thanked his former diocese in Peru and the late Pope Francis. President Trump congratulated him, noting the historic significance.

Crowds in Rome celebrated as the Vatican announced the new pope with the traditional Latin proclamation, “Habemus Papam!”