Villanova University alumnus Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and succeeds Pope Francis.

The new Pope is Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV - the first American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church Chicago-born Prevost is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV — is the first pope from the United States. The 69-year-old from Chicago is known as a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments.