Following Pope Francis’s death, white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney alerted the world to a new Pope on Thursday afternoon, ending the conclave. Deeply ingrained in custom, this event enthralled millions worldwide who were waiting impatiently for the Catholic Church’s next leader to be revealed.
The upcoming Pope is who?
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955, Robert Francis Prevost is today known as Pope Leon XIV. He has become somewhat well-known among the American Catholic community.
Prevost, an Order of Saint Augustine member, has a strong academic background from Villanova University, a Bachelor of Science in mathematics; from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a Master of Divinity; from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, a Doctorate in Canon Law.
Prevost was ordained as a priest in 1982 and spent much of his early service in Peru. There he worked as a missionary, assumed leadership responsibilities in seminaries, and finally became bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo.
Pope Francis selected him in 2023 as President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops—two important roles inside the Vatican. That same year, he became Cardinal. His tenure as Prefect ended on April 21, 2025, with the death of Pope Francis.
Studying alongside Prevost at the Catholic Theological Union from 1978 to 1982, Father Mark R. Francis, CSV, now leading the Viatorians in the United States, later, in early 2000s, they worked in Rome. Emphasizing Prevost’s cool head and incisive intelligence, Fr. Francis described him as “a deeply thoughtful and steady presence within the Church.”
“My experience of Cardinal Prevost is that he’s not a showboat,” Fr. Francis said. “He’s very calm, but incredibly intelligent, and quite sensitive.” He is well-liked among many Catholic Church factions for this mix of emotional intuition and intellectual prowess.
“Fr. Francis said Cardinal Prevost is a very sympathetic person who appreciates giving everyone an opportunity to express themselves. Reflecting Pope’s dedication to compassion and inclusiveness, he supports the rights of underprivileged people, especially the poor. Would we see a familiar approach if Cardinal Prevost were to become Pope?
“I think the main goals would coincide rather closely,” Fr. Francis added. “His approach would probably be calm, consistent, and direct.”
Although Cardinal Prevost is sometimes regarded as a centrist—someone able to unite several factions inside the Church—his progressive attitude on many social concerns is well known.
One hundred thirty-three cardinals assembled to vote during the second day of confidential talks in Vatican City. The new Pope had to be elected by a two-thirds majority, or at least 89 votes.
This time, the cardinals behaved quickly.
Crowds burst in celebration outside St. Peter’s Basilica as white smoke billowed from the chimney, heralding the advent of a new spiritual head for the Catholic Church. This custom has endured over millennia.
Pope Francis passed at 7:35 AM on April 21, 2025, at his house from problems related to double pneumonia, so this conclave was called for. Five days later, on April 26, his funeral took place within St. Peter’s Basilica, drawing an amazing attendance including religious leaders, world dignitaries, and hundreds of thousands of mourners.
Among the notable guests were U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Prince William, standing in for King Charles.
The royal delegation continued beyond a small number of dignitaries. Among those attending to pay their respects were King Felipe of Spain, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Philippe of Belgium, Queen Mathilde, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Queen Rania.
Pope Francis was buried in the humble manner he had wanted in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. His casket contained significant papal documents, a handwritten note called the ” Rogito,” and a collection of coined coins. His last remarks said:
“The tomb should be simple, without embellishments, signed only with: Franciscus.”
Often stopping to pray before and after his Apostolic Journeys, Jesus also wished to end his earthly journey in this ancient Marian shrine.
The Church marked a nine-day Novendiale period of grief upon his death. The College of Cardinals might start looking for its successor only now.
Choosing a new Pope calls for rigorous, private methods. Gathering in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, the 252 members of the College of Cardinals cast votes in the Sistine Chapel. Of these cardinals, just 138—especially those under 80—are qualified to vote.
Although legally any baptized Catholic man over 35 could become Pope, a cardinal is almost always the position. Usually, candidates come from canon law, biblical studies, or theology backgrounds.
Women cannot climb to the pope because of the Catholic Church’s dedication to an all-male priesthood, which keeps them out of two levels from which Popes are normally chosen: bishops or cardinals.
“Women are still excluded from leadership roles in the Church, and the patriarchy is firmly in place,” said Catholic historian and commentator Paul Collins, ABC reported. The Vatican argues this approach by citing past customs, pointing out that Jesus chose twelve male apostles who consecrated other males into the clergy.
This event is vital for the Church’s future as the globe waits impatiently for the name of the new Pope to be announced.
This is a growing narrative; we will update as new data surfaces.