On day two of the conclave and after only four rounds of voting, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected and will be known as Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever North American pope.

The first American pope — previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost — was elected on May 8 Pope Leo XIV has plenty to say about his home country. The first-ever American pope was elected to lead the Catholic church on May 8.

Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood and Holy Sepulchre in Alsip, where Robert Prevost’s close relatives reside, remained peaceful Friday.

I met the man who would become Pope Leo XIV in October 2023. We were standing outside the Vatican’s Synod Hall, and from my short conversation with Cardinal Robert Prevost, I could tell he was a good listener,

Leo urged an end to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. "I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people," he said. "Let us do everything possible to reach a genuine, just and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all prisoners be freed and children be able to return to their families."

The election of Pope Leo XIV, who is the first U.S. pope and has Creole roots, is raising more awareness about the complexity of the Creole identity.

Pope Leo XIV is facing criticism from survivors over his record on clergy sexual abuse while he served in Chicago and Peru. He is also drawing praise.

Pope Leo XIV is now the most powerful American Catholic in the world, and experts say he must aptly walk the line between U.S. politics and his papal duties.