In one of the shortest conclaves in history, Roman Catholic Cardinals have selected an American as the religion’s next pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago was selected shortly before noon Central time Thursday, following two days of proceedings and votes. ABC News says there are only two other conclaves that took two days to find a new pope — 2005, when the church religious leaders selected Benedict XVI, and 2013, when Pope Francis was chosen.
In becoming the Catholic Church’s 267th pope, Prevost chose Leo XIV as his papal name. He is considered a moderate with missionary experience in South America and served in the Vatican for bishop appointments. He is expected to build on several reforms led by Pope Francis, but he is also seen as more moderate than his predecessor. In a short speech to faithful at Saint Peter’s Square, he says he envisions a church that “builds bridges” and works towards “a dialogue of love.”
Pope Leo XIV will be facing several challenges, including finances and internal divisions on matters like social justice, migrants and other marginalized groups, an ongoing sex abuse crisis for clergy and church doctrine like ordaining women as priests.
Information from ABC News was used in this report.
