Leo XIV's election and why no pope has ever come from Africa

White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney on the evening of May 8, 2025 after Cardinal Robert Prevost, 72, was elected the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, the American prelate succeeds Pope Francis, who died last month at 88 after 12 years leading the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

“I am humbled by this sacred responsibility,” Prevost said in his first address from St Peter’s balcony. “I ask for your prayers as we walk together as pilgrims of hope in these challenging times.”