What Happens Now with the Election of Pope Leo XIV, and Why He Chose That Name

VATICAN CITY — After just two days of deliberation, the papal conclave has come to a decisive and historic close. From the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, white smoke signaled to the world that the cardinals had selected a new pope — one of the shortest conclaves in modern history. The man chosen: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born bishop with roots in Chicago and missionary experience in Peru. Now, he steps onto the world stage as Pope Leo XIV.

Prevost’s election as the 268th pontiff marks a major moment for the Roman Catholic Church. Not only is he the first American pope, but his selection comes at a time of deep reflection within the Church following the death of Pope Francis — a pontiff who changed the tone of the papacy with his focus on humility, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship. Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue much of Francis’s agenda while forging his own legacy with a distinctive intellectual rigor and pastoral grounding.

The speed of this conclave shocked Vatican observers. In an age where deep divisions — ideological, regional, theological — often delay consensus, the cardinals’ rapid unity around Prevost suggests that he was seen as a steady hand, a bridge-builder, and a figure of continuity in turbulent times. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, and widely respected for his work both in the Vatican and Latin America, Prevost brings a global sensibility to the role.

His choice of the name “Leo XIV” was a deliberate nod to two towering figures in papal history. Pope Leo I, known as “Leo the Great,” confronted Attila the Hun in the 5th century and helped define the Church’s authority during a time of imperial decline. Pope Leo XIII, who reigned from 1878 to 1903, was a reform-minded intellectual who penned the encyclical Rerum Novarum, laying the groundwork for modern Catholic social teaching. By aligning himself with both Leos, the new pope is signaling an intention to defend the Church’s moral authority in the face of modern-day “invaders” — apathy, corruption, and inequality — while championing justice and dignity for the working class.

So what happens now?

Pope Leo XIV will begin by forming his inner circle — a process that includes selecting key advisors and curial leaders who will help implement his vision. Many anticipate that he will push forward the synodal reforms started under Francis, which aim to decentralize Church governance and give a greater voice to the laity, women, and marginalized communities. His time as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops gives him an intimate understanding of global leadership needs, and his experience in Peru equips him with an acute awareness of the challenges facing the Global South.

In the coming weeks, he is expected to deliver his first major homilies and speeches, set the tone for his papacy, and travel to key regions to demonstrate solidarity with Catholics suffering persecution or hardship. Meanwhile, millions of Catholics will be listening closely, hoping this new shepherd will bring healing to a Church still scarred by abuse scandals, shaken by declining attendance in the West, and grappling with calls for deeper transparency and accountability.

Pope Leo XIV steps into office with both enormous hope and formidable challenges. But with a name rooted in greatness, a background grounded in service, and a conclave that spoke loudly in its unity, the message is clear: the Church is ready to move forward, and its new leader intends to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity.