This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
White smoke has been seen above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the 133 voting cardinals of the Catholic Church, meeting at the Vatican have chosen a new pope.
He is Robert Francis Prevost, 69, the first American to serve as leader of the Catholic Church, who is taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Originally from Chicago, until now Prevost was the head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops.
According to CBS News, Prevost is seen overall as a centrist, though on some key social issues he's viewed as progressive. He holds dual citizenship with Peru, where he spent many years of his career.
The church officials spent two days selecting a new church chief, meaning that the new pope took little time to impress his peers in the secretive process.
Francis and Benedict XVI were both revealed in the evening of the conclave's second day, while John Paul II, the longest-reigning pope of modern times, was selected on the third day in 1978.
Francis' tenure was celebrated during a funeral only two weeks ago, an event that drew 250,000 people including President Donald Trump.
He was buried in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Cardinal Re lauded the "mercy and the joys of the gospel" that were Francis' priorities, "in contrast to the culture of waste."
"He often reminded us… that we all belong to the same human family and that no one is saved alone," Re said.
Prevost is the first-ever American pope and the College of Cardinals made the announcement with the statement, "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus papam!" — in English, "I announce to you a great joy: We have a pope!"
Prevost was born in Chicago, graduated from Villanova, and spent years as a missionary and then archbishop in Peru.
He opened his conversation with Catholics, and the rest of the world, with, "Peace be with you."
The Washington Examiner reported early favorites had included Luis Tagle from the Philippines and Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, and the final choice likely was an accommodation among the lobbying groups.
President Donald Trump said, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
Francis had been pope for some 12 years.
Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, said, "As a Catholic, as a pro-life advocate, and as a Chicagoan, I joyfully celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV. Prior to his elevation to the papacy, Cardinal Prevost spent much of his life and ministry in my hometown and the Pro-Life Action League's headquarter city of Chicago, so I feel a special closeness to him in that regard. As a pro-life activist, I am also deeply heartened to know that our new pope holds strong pro-life convictions as evidenced by his words in a recent homily: 'God's mercy calls us to protect every life, especially those society overlooks—the child yet to be born and the elderly nearing their journey's end—because each bears Christ's face.' I look forward to serving the Church under Pope Leo's leadership for many years to come."
Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said, "The pro-life movement would not have the strong presence it has today if it were not for the Catholic faithful. We have been blessed over the years with popes who have been fundamental in creating a Culture of Life.
"St. John Paul II issued the Evangelium Vitae, an encyclical which reaffirmed the universal right to life for all people. Pope Benedict XVI was an advocate of the right to life and followed the footsteps of his predecessor in keeping the right to life at the forefront of Catholic teaching. Pope Francis, like his predecessors, was a strong advocate for the value and dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. We look forward to Pope Leo XIV continuing the work of his predecessors in his dedication to the right to life and championing the most vulnerable among us."
