Cardinal Robert F. Prevost has been elected by the College of Cardinals as the new pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV, who is 69, is from Chicago, Illinois and becomes the 267th leader of the Catholic Church and the first pope from America. He succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after suffering a stroke.

In his first public message, Pope Leo XIV thanked Pope Francis, his fellow cardinals and a message to his ministry in Peru, delivering the remarks in both Italian and Spanish. He then discussed the need for the Church to show compassion and ended with a blessing to the world.

“Let us pray together for this new mission,” Pope Leo XIV said. “For all of the Church, for peace in the world.”

Pope Leo XIV reached the 89 cardinal votes necessary after four rounds of voting. The conclave began on May 7 with the sequestering of the cardinals. The decision was reached on May 8 at around 6:15 p.m. CET, when white smoke was seen pouring out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.