The new pope is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the papal name Leo XIV. He is the 267th pope and the first American-born pope, hailing from Chicago. At 69 years old, he has significant global experience, having spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru and most recently serving as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV was elected during the 2025 papal conclave held on May 7-8, 2025, and he succeeded Pope Francis, who passed away earlier that year