American bishop Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was announced as the new pontiff. He takes the name Pope Leo XIV. Related. Pope Francis’ record on LGBTQ+ issues were

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been named the first American pope, selected Thursday by 133 cardinals from across the globe on the second day of the papal conclave in Rome. The new pontiff, who will go by the name Leo XIV, greeted the thousands who jammed St. Peter’s Square from the red velvet-draped central balcony at St. Peter’s Square.

Francis may have been globally admired, but within the church hierarchy he was a polarizing figure. This could have resulted in a drawn-out voting process as diverse groups within the electorate struggle to find common ground.