Taking the name Leo XIV, the American was elected to be the 267th pontiff and spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.

CHICAGO - A nun in Wisconsin is reflecting on almost a half century of teaching in Chicago and one student she knew as Bob, who we now know as Pope Leo XIV. "I was overwhelmed by an emotion I can't even describe. I mean, it just, it didn't seem real," said Sister Dianne Bergant.

Cardinals, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich at left, appear at the Vatican on May 8, 2025, after the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the 267th pope. He chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — has been welcomed with American capitalism in his home city, with vendors saying they've already sold hundreds of pope-themed T-shirts.

Those who knew Pope Leo XIV as a younger man say his path to the papacy has prepared him well for the challenges ahead.

Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church on Thursday. Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.

Robert Prevost’s Catholic roots were planted in Chicago’s south side suburbs, where he grew up playing “pretend priest” and embodies the spirit of a “second Pope

On Thursday afternoon -- running with a claim by an ABC News reporter -- the Chicago Cubs boasted that Pope Leo XIV was a fan of theirs, with their famous signage outside Wrigley Field telling the locals the good news: "Hey, Chicago. He's a Cubs fan!"