Robert Prevost becomes first Pope from the United States

By Gemma Gaudette

Published May 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM MDT

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, left, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, appears with, from left, Master of Ceremonies Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Cardinal Vinko Puljić on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican shortly after he was elected the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Thursday, May 8, 2025.

On Thursday, history was made in the Roman Catholic Church as one of the shortest conclaves in history.

The College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost, a U.S. native born and raised in Chicago, as the 267th pope of the church.

And on Friday, as Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first mass, he called his election both a cross to bear and a blessing.

So what does this mean for the Catholic Church and the world as a whole? Deacon Scott Pearhill, the director of communications at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise and the editor of the Idaho Catholic Register, joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

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Gemma Gaudette

Hi! I’m Gemma Gaudette, the host of the award-winning show, Idaho Matters. During the day you’ll find me researching and writing about all the fascinating topics we tackle on our show. And of course, at noon, each weekday you’ll find me live behind the microphone as Idaho Matters airs.

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