Pope Leo XIV will be the Catholic Church's 267th leader.
VATICAN CITY -- The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost was shortly thereafter announced as the 267th pontiff. He chose the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first American pope and is seen as a diplomat in the church.
"This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian in his first remarks as pope. "This is the peace of the risen Christ."
(The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.)
Pope Leo XIV - history-making, the first American Pope. Now, David Muir reports from the Vatican in the breaking, new "20/20" special edition. Watch the premiere of "The American Pope | Leo XIV" tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Stream on Hulu and Disney+
Pope Leo XIV - history-making, the first American Pope. Now, David Muir reports from the Vatican in the breaking, new "20/20" special edition. Watch the premiere of "The American Pope | Leo XIV" tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Stream on Hulu and Disney+
The Empire State Building will shine gold and white on Thursday evening in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV will have several events scheduled over the next few days, according to the Vatican.
On Friday, Leo will celebrate mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11 a.m. local time, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists in a short briefing Thursday evening.
Leo will recite the Regina Coeli prayer from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday at noon.
On Monday at 10 a.m., Leo will give an audience to all accredited journalists and media workers, in which he is expected to give a speech.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Prevost's selection "the greatest moment in the history of the greatest city," highlighting that the new pope was "born in Chicago, educated in Chicago, came back and served this city."
Johnson praised the new pope, saying he "recognizes and understands the value of immigration." The last pope to be named Leo, XIII, was known as the "Pope of Labor," and Johnson called Chicago the most pro-worker city in America.
Like the mayor, the new pope is reportedly a Chicago Cubs fan. Johnson said Chicagoans to tend to "take some partisanship," as "everyone has to know exactly who to root for -- but today, the world is rooting for Pope Leo."
"Today is truly a remarkable day" for Chicago and the world, Johnson said.
