Robert Francis Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV as cardinals elect first US pontiff

Robert Prevost, a Catholic cleric who has become the first American pope since Vatican reforms in 1971, made history as Pope Leo XIV by addressing a crowd of pilgrims during his debut speech from St. Peter’s Basilica. Known for his strong stance on peace and justice, Prevost has criticized the Trump administration’s treatment of refugees and migrants and expressed hope for moral support from the Vatican under his leadership. His election capped a year marked by global events, with celebrations in cities like Chicago and Lima, and he remains poised to tackle challenges ranging from climate issues to religious freedom while balancing the fractured international landscape.