(Photos) New Pope Leo XIV: This is what Robert Francis Prevost looked like in his youth

During the second day of the conclave in the Sistine Chapel, the 133 cardinals made their will known in the papal elections, electing American-born cleric Robert Francis Prevost as the successor to the late Francis.

The decision was announced by the Holy See through its popular white smoke , which triggered a standing ovation among the people who had been waiting since morning in St. Peter's Square.

At the same time, the Supreme Pontiff expressed his consent to the canonical election and indicated that the name he would use from today in his administration, as leader of the Catholic community, would be Leo XIV , in honor of several important figures in ecclesiastical history.

Moments later, Prevost headed to the Hall of Tears to change into the traditional robes of the highest Catholic authority before performing the blessing before Rome and the world.

At 69, the newly elected Leo XIV became the 267th pope to occupy the throne of St. Peter . He will also be recognized as the first American to assume leadership of the Holy See.

Although he was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, he is considered a Latin American cardinal , since for 18 years he served as a missionary in a congregation in Peru, where he acquired Peruvian nationality.

His maternal grandparents were French-Spanish immigrants who were committed to the Catholic Church, a passion inherited by his mother and then by him, so during his childhood and adolescence he studied at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers.

After graduating from high school, he decided to pursue a degree in Mathematics at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, but at the age of 22, his vocation led him to enter the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine of Saint Louis.

Years later, he was sent to Rome to study Canon Law, where he not only earned his doctorate but was also called to serve as director of missions for the institution in Illinois, United States.

Over time, he settled in Peru as director of a training project for aspirants. He remained there for several years, working as a parish priest, teacher, and ecclesiastical judge before being appointed bishop of Chiclayo.

In 2023, he was transferred to the Vatican, where the late Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America , which he led from then until his participation in the conclave.

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