Cardinal Robert Prevost may be the first person from the U.S. to become the head of the Catholic Church but his surprising election by the world's cardinals as Pope Leo XIV probably had less to do with his birthplace than his former workplace.

Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen by the conclave to be the next pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops,

The 2025 papal conclave at the Vatican ended with the election of American-born Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. Here's what to know about him.