Cardinals elect first American Pope to lead Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has elected a new Pope following the death of Pope Francis. Here's who was chosen — and what it means for Catholics in southern New Mexico.
After the death of Pope Francis, cardinals in Vatican City have elected a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
VATICAN CITY - The Roman Catholic Church has chosen a new spiritual leader following the death of Pope Francis, who led the church from 2013 until his death in April 2025.
After days of deliberation in a closed-door conclave inside the Sistine Chapel, cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will take the name Pope Leo XIV. He becomes the 267th bishop of Rome — and the latest in a line of papal succession that the Catholic Church traces back more than 2,000 years to Saint Peter.
The new Pope, an American cardinal originally from Chicago, previously served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and former bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. His election was announced with the traditional Latin proclamation, “Habemus Papam” — “We have a Pope.”
How a new Pope is chosen
When a Pope dies or resigns, the process of selecting a new leader of the Roman Catholic Church begins in a gathering known as a conclave. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and they meet in the Sistine Chapel to cast secret ballots.
Voting continues in multiple rounds until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. Once that happens, white smoke rises from the chapel chimney — signaling that a new Pope has been elected.
The newly elected Pope is then asked whether he accepts the position, and by what name he wishes to be known. The official announcement — “Habemus Papam,” or “We have a Pope” — is made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
We’d love to hear from you: How are you and your parish responding to the news of a new Pope? What are your hopes for the future of the Catholic Church? Email us at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com. Your voice may help shape our next story.
He appeared before thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square and offered his first blessing as pontiff. The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out in celebration following the white smoke that signaled his election.
Pope Leo XIV inherits a church with more than 1.3 billion members worldwide — and a range of challenges, including political polarization, clerical abuse reform, declining attendance in the West and growing Catholic populations in the Global South.
“As a Catholic, I never thought I would see the day of an American Pope,” said Ernesto Garcia, a Las Cruces resident.
New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) celebrated the choice of the first American Pope.
“This is a joyful and hopeful moment for Catholics and for people of faith around the world. At a time when the politics of fear, hatred, and blind nationalism are all too common, our faith teaches us to welcome the stranger and care for the poor. Always.
¡Que viva el Papa Leo XIV! May he continue in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who led our church with integrity, a commitment to justice, and compassion for all, including the poor, immigrants, and the incarcerated.”
New Mexico Republican Party Chairwoman Amy Barela also responded to the election.
“The Republican Party of New Mexico congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his historic election as the first American pope,” Barela said in a statement. “We join with the Catholic community in New Mexico in celebrating this milestone and extend our heartfelt prayers for his success in leading the Church in faith and unity.”
Las Cruces is home to several major parishes under the Diocese of Las Cruces, which serves an estimated 220,000 Catholics across 10 counties in southern New Mexico, according to diocesan figures.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News.
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