When white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney shortly after 6 pm local time on May 8, 2025, the world learned that a successor to Pope Francis had been chosen. One year later, Pope Leo XIV continues to mark a historic chapter for the Catholic Church as the first North American elected pope.
Born Robert Prevost, the pontiff’s election surprised many observers, as he was not considered a frontrunner during the conclave. His rise to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics reflected shifting geopolitical dynamics within the Church and a broader change in its global balance of power. Even the many Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square were stunned by the announcement.
A symbolic and historic choice, Pope Leo XIV’s first year has drawn global attention to both his leadership style and his message for the future of the Church. His election also marked the beginning of a new era following the death of Pope Francis, whose papacy reshaped the modern Catholic Church in unprecedented ways.
Click through the following gallery and relive the moment Robert Prevost became the 267th pope.