Watch Live: American Cardinal Robert Prevost chosen as new pope, Leo XIV, by Catholic cardinals

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The cardinal voters of the Catholic Church chose an American from among their own ranks on Thursday to serve as the new Pope. Born in Chicago Cardinal Robert Prevost His destiny was chosen and accepted as the next bishop of Rome, leader of the 1,400 million Catholics in the world. Prevost chose Leo XIV as his papal name.

The identity of the new Pontiff was revealed approximately one hour after Papal conclave. After about an hour, the statement was made of the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro: “Habemus Papam”.

The crowd in the Plaza de San Pedro exploded in stunned applause, since it was announced that the Catholic Church, for the first time in its history, chose an American as its leader.

Who is the new Pope?

In general, Prevost is considered a centrist, but in many social issues it is considered progressive, hugging a marginalized group as Francis, which defended the migrants and the poor. Prevost opposes ordering women as a deacon, for example, so it is seen as conservative in the doctrine of the Church.

The funeral is carried out by Pope Francis

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attends the funeral of Pope Francis, in St. Peter’s Square, on April 26, 2025, in the city of the Vatican.

Franco Origlia/Getty


How do you compare the duration of the 2025 conclave with agreements?

The conclave to choose a successor of Pope Francis It started on Wednesday afternoon, local time. The 133 cardinal voters who participated in the process prayed together and joined a secret vote before the doors closed and the first round of votes were issued. When the night fell, the black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that they had not yet agreed to an choice.

In Thorsday Morning, the cardinals resumed the process For day 2 And, once again, before lunchtime in Rome, the black smoke did not indicate any decisive result of the two votes of the morning.

In recent history, we agree to last only a couple of days, and this year’s safe.

Some tight, however, prolonged Much longer. The longest in history, in the thirteenth century, almost three years to choose Pope Gregory X.

The shortest recorded conclave, in 1503, took only 10 hours to choose Pope Pius III.

How long was the conclave that chose Pope Francis?

The conclave that chose Pope Francis It began on March 12, 2013, and was announced as Pope the next day, after five tickets.

The conclave that chose his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, begged on April 18, 2005. Benedict was announced as Pope the next day after four tickets.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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