Before he was chosen, Robert Francis Prevost had the papal seal of approval from his predecessor, Francis, who put him in one of the top jobs in the Roman Catholic Church.
Robert Francis Prevost, who led the Vatican office that selects and manages bishops around the world, has spent much of his life outside the United States.
Here’s what to know about Pope Francis’ successor, Robert Francis Prevost, who was chosen on Thursday. He is the first American pope and will be known as Leo XIV.