Robert Prevost or Leo XIV becomes the first American to become Pope

Robert Francis Prevost became the first American to be elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on 8th May 2025. After being elected as the 267th Pope in the Vatican, he assumed the name of Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis, who died on 21 April 2025.

Election of Pope Leo XIV 

Pope Leo XIV was elected by a College of Cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. As per tradition, they are locked in the Chapel until a new Pope is elected.

 In the past, it has taken weeks and even months to elect a new Pope, but this time, a new Pope was elected within the second day of the Cardinals' meeting.

The newly elected Pope must secure at least two-thirds of the voting Cardinals.

One hundred thirty-three Cardinals of the College voted in the election, and Pope Leo XIV was chosen as the new Pope.

As per tradition, when the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope, white smoke comes out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney, signalling the election of a new Pope to the world.

Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh to represent India 

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, will represent India at the inauguration of the  Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on 18 May 2025.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh was accompanied by the Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Yanthungo Patton.

About Pope Leo XIV 

Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago, the United States of America, in 1955.

He holds dual citizenship of the United States and Peru.

He was ordained in 1952 and later moved to Peru, where he worked for over 20 years.

He worked in some of Peru's most poverty-stricken areas. In 2014, the then-Pope Francis made him the Bishop of Chiclayo.

In 2023, he was made a Bishop, and later Pope Francis made him a Cardinal.

Also Read : 

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, died at 88 years