Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has been named the new pope, and his official papal name will be Pope Leo the Fourteenth. The Chicago-born Prevost becomes the first pope to ever come from the United States.

The new pope made his first public appearance to impart a blessing over the crowd gathered outside. In his opening words, Pope Leo XIV said, "Peace be with you."

The long history of popes named "Leo" is reportedly connected to Catholic teaching on social justice, especially regarding the rights of workers.

History's first American pope recalled in his remarks that he was part of the Augustinian religious order, but that he was a Christian above all, “So we can all walk together.” He's also a naturalized Peruvian citizen who lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

Pope Leo XIV spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English. "Humanity needs Christ as a bridge, to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges," he said.

He went on to recite the "Hail Mary" as the enormous crowd of 40,000 joined him.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKED

The world's Roman Catholic cardinals began the process of selecting the next pope at the Vatican earlier this week.

A total of 133 cardinals from 70 countries gathered in Rome for the papal conclave, sequestering themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls with no outside communication as they sought to elect the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The cardinals took part in a mass in St. Peter's Cathedral before going to the Sistine Chapel to begin the voting. The electors cast paper ballots, and voting continued until one candidate received a two-thirds majority, at least 89 votes.

After no one was elected on the first few rounds of voting, black smoke had been seen coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney for two days. But it wasn't long before the Catholic faithful were greeted with the white smoke, which signified their new leader had been chosen.

Pope Leo XIV will be the successor to Pope Francis, who died in April at the age of 88. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

President Trump Posts a Couple Christian, Prophetic Videos on His Truth Social Account

Mount Rushmore's Independence Day Fireworks Are Back

Young Families Flock to Red States as Blue States Lose Children, Data Shows

Study: Trans Shooters Commit 'Disproportionate Shares of Mass Public and Active Shooting Attacks'

Karoline Leavitt Busts Democrats' 'Huge Myth' that SAVE America Act Hurts Married Women's Ability to Vote [Video]

Daycares Under Microscope as Prosecutors Stamp Out Fraud after Minnesota Firestorm

The Fate of Iran's National Women's Football Team Took a Deceptive Turn at the Last Minute; What Will Happen to Them?

US Strikes 16 Iranian Mine-Laying Boats Near Strait of Hormuz: Pentagon [Video]

ICE Houston Announces Arrests of over 400 Illegal Immigrants Charged With or Convicted of Child Sex Offenses in 2025

4 Ways Christians Can Pray for the Situation in Iran

New Media Network Combats Anti-American Spin by Featuring Veterans, Law Enforcement

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules 'Transgender' Individuals Can't Change Birth Certificates

Evil: Oregon Democrats Block Bill Requiring Medical Care for Babies Born Alive after Abortions

Oil Prices Dip as Trump Says Iran Conflict Is 'Ahead of Schedule'

3-Hour Airport Security Lines, TSA Working Without Pay during Democrat Gov Shutdown

Democrats Slammed for Shutting Down DHS amid Terrorism Threats

Nation on High Alert after NYC Attack, as Suspects Aligned with Islamic State; Meanwhile Dems Continue Shutdown of Homeland Security

Evangelical Leaders Return to Oval Office to Pray over Trump

Terrorists Transformed into Evangelists: YWAM Reports Powerful Stories of Redemption in Nigeria

Jesse Jackson's Democrat Son CALLS OUT Obama, Biden, and Clinton for Politicizing His Father's Funeral: They 'Do Not Know Jesse Jackson'