In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, the College of Cardinals has elected Robert Prevost as the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. As Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his first papal blessing, he was met with a wave of applause and prayerful anticipation from the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square. Pope Leo XIV chose his papal name to honor Pope Leo XIII, who served from 1878 to 1903 and is remembered for his strong stance on social justice and the rights of workers, encapsulated in the landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum. As the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Vatican, emphasizing evangelization, global outreach, and a renewed focus on pastoral care. "Today, we stand united in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide Pope Leo XIV as he shepherds the Church in these challenging times," said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.