14 things to know about Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pope

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election to the papacy, Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Staff, May 9, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).On May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV by the College of Cardinals as the 266th successor of St. Peter, the first pope from the United States.

LIVE UPDATES: First Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV celebrates his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025 / Vatican Media / Screenshot CNA Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 05:23 am (CNA).LIVE UPDATES: First Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV to pray Regina Caeli, greet journalists in first engagements after election

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA Rome Newsroom, May 9, 2025 / 04:57 am (CNA).Just hours after being elected the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV has three appointments on his agenda

Trump, Vance, other U.S. leaders celebrate first American pope

"What a great honor for our country," President Trump said of the election of the Catholic Church's new Chicago-born pope on May 8, 2025. / Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2025 / 16:32 pm (CNA).U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, along with scores of other elected officials throughout the country have expressed joy and excitement over the selection of the first American pope.

U.S. bishops react to election of Pope Leo XIV, first pope from United States

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 16:12 pm (CNA).Cardinals elected Leo to the supreme pontificate on Thursday afternoon, with white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel signaling the closing of the conclave.

Who is Pope Leo XIV? A bio of the first American pope

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. / Credit: Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 15:52 pm (CNA).Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, May 8 — the first pope from the United States. 

Pope Leo XIV's first words to the world: 'Peace be with you all'

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 15:32 pm (CNA).The 69-year-old new pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the first pope from the United States on Thursday.

A prayer for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV waves to pilgrims in St. Pete's Square shortly after his election on Thursday, May 8, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 14:32 pm (CNA).Today, May 8, the first American was elected taking the name Pope Leo XIV — here is a prayer for the new pontiff.

India's Cardinal Koovakad plays key role ensuring secrecy, validity of conclave voting

Indian Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad of the Syro-Malabar Church, official of the Secretariat of State and organizer of papal trips, was created a cardinal by Pope Francis during the consistory at St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 7, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA Vatican City, May 8, 2025 / 11:50 am (CNA).As the most junior member of the College of Cardinals, Koovakad is tasked with drawing out the names of three cardinal scrutineers, infirmarii, and revisers.

Former parish administrator faces decade in prison for $700,000 theft from Florida parish

Deborah True. / Credit: Vero Beach Police Department CNA Staff, May 8, 2025 / 11:20 am (CNA).Prosecutors had alleged in 2022 that Deborah True and Father Richard Murphy stole nearly $1.5 million in parish funds from Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.