Born in the U.S., forged in Peru, chosen in Rome, Leo XIV will helm a church facing debt, division and decline

When Father Tony Ricard watched the new pope deliver his first address to the faithful Thursday in St. Peter’s Square, he felt an instant kinship.

While Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois, records show that his family lineage has deep roots in Louisiana.

Something like this is a nice little shot in the arm for the organization,” said chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been named the first American pope of the Catholic Church. What to know about Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier, warning of the dangers caused by a lack of faith and hoping the Catholic Church could be a beacon lighting the world's "dark nights".

Pope Leo XIV, elected last week after the death of Pope Francis, discussed AI during an address to the College of Cardinals on Saturday.

The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.