What we know about Robert Prevost, the first U.S. pope and a Villanova graduate

White smoke streamed out of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a new pope had been chosen. Crowds cheered as the Vatican’s balcony doors opened to reveal that Robert Prevost would assume the role.

The news broke Thursday evening in Rome, marking the selection of the first U.S. pope in history. Prevost, 69, is a Chicago native and Peruvian citizen. He is a Villanova University graduate. He led the Vatican’s bishops and advised Pope Francis’ selection of bishops around the world, holding several leadership positions within the Catholic Church over the years.

Prevost revealed that his chosen papal name would be Pope Leo XIV.

Here’s what we know about the new pope.

Prevost arrived at the Vatican in 2023. He is described as modest, approachable, and qualified. Since he arrived in Rome, Prevost has kept a low public profile, but he is well-known to the men who count.

His comparative youth when measured against other papal contenders means he could reign for a significant amount of time.

Hailing from Chicago and then living for years in Peru, Prevost served as a missionary and, later, a bishop. During his remarks from the balcony, he spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his years as a missionary and then bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. Cathedral bells rang in Peru to celebrate the representation. The new pope speaks five languages.

ABC News reported that he’s a “Cubs fan on the South Side,” indicative of being tough (and not opting to root for the regional White Sox), though there are conflicting reports over his fandom.

Prevost graduated from Villanova with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1977 and received an honorary doctor of humanities, honoris causa, from the university in 2014, Villanova confirmed. He went on to study at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago and was ordained as a priest in 1982.

Father Arthur Purcaro, Villanova’s assistant vice president for mission and ministry, told CNN he was “perhaps more stunned than the world” over Prevost’s elevation to Pope Leo XIV.

“I am just overwhelmed, I am in awe,” Purcaro said on CNN, just moments after the new pope delivered his first speech to cheering masses at the Vatican.

Purcaro said he and Prevost have been friends for decades and were at the Vatican together last week.

But Purcaro pointed out Prevost “has taken a new name and is a new person” now that he has been chosen as the 278th pope.

“As an Augustinian Catholic institution, we celebrate this significant day for our University community,” said Villanova’s president, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue. “Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason — between spirituality and wisdom. With today’s election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world.“

One hundred thirty-three of the eligible cardinals participated in a secretive voting process known as the conclave. The cardinals had no contact with the outside world, and their votes will not be revealed.

Prevost led the office that fields bishop nominations worldwide. It is considered one of the most important jobs within the church. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals have.

Some experts suggest Pope Leo XIV has “middle-of-the-road” politics and had a close relationship with the progressive Pope Francis, suggesting his leadership would not be an about-face from recent years, albeit more centrist than his predecessor.

Leo, his chosen name, is said to be a nod to Pope Leo XIII, who championed workers’ rights. Chicago is also at the center of the labor rights movement, as noted by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who spoke with ABC News.

Regarding other topics, Prevost’s views on migrant issues and climate change align with those of Francis, Time reports.

Prevost showed care for Venezuelan migrants who came to Peru, according to Reuters. In November, he spoke at a seminar advocating for action against climate change.

Like Francis, Prevost is also against the ordainment of women. But he said he does support women being appointed to higher leadership positions, something Francis did.

His stance on LGBTQ issues appears less progressive than Francis’ and in some cases anti-LGBTQ, according to outlets like the Advocate. In past speaking engagements, Prevost has emphasized the importance of culturally informed discussions, acknowledging how different regions approach the gender spectrum. His approach suggests a pastoral sensitivity to the LGBTQ community without going as far as his predecessor, who was openly critical of laws that criminalized the LGBTQ community.

LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD said in a statement Thursday that it looked forward to working with Prevost. The group previously met with Francis to discuss LGBTQ rights.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Trump said: “What greater honor could there be?” about the role.

He added via a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

There will be a ceremony to formally install the new pope in the near future — usually about a week after his election, according to CNN. The ceremony will take place either at St. Peter’s Square or the Basilica and will feature cardinals, bishops, and other dignitaries.

Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article, which contains information from the Associated Press.