Robert Francis Prevost Elected 267th Pope of the Catholic Church

• Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new Pope on May 8, 2025, after a white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel
• He becomes the new Pope at the age of 68 and, according to reports, makes history as the first American Pope
• Many people around the world have taken to social media to express their excitement and to congratulate him

Robert Francis Prevost from the U.S. has been elected as the 267th Pope, days after the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

New Pope elected

This comes after a white smoke emerged from the chimney, after the 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel had elected the new Pope.

According to the Vatican, the new Pope would make his first appearance soon at the central window of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he would be welcomed by thousands of people.

In light of this development, Robert Francis Prevost becomes the first Pope to be elected from the United States of America.

Before he was appointed as the new Pope, he was the leader of the Vatican office for bishop appointments. He also spent several years working in Peru and was the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru.

Details of Robert Francis Prevost

Reactions to the newly elected Pope

Congratulatory messages filled social media; however, some people expressed their frustrations at the results after the new Pope was unveiled.

Many people noted that they were expecting the next Pope to be of African descent, with people vouching for Ghana's Cardinal Peter Turkson.

The diverse reactions of social media users to the new Pope are below:

@akpiriutazi said:

"A conservative pick, not surprised, but I was hoping for someone more progressive on social issues like surrogacy and ab0rtion rights, tough road ahead for the church with this one."

@dfweddiee said:

"They cheated the Ghanaian, he’s the pope in our books 🇬🇭."

@magnelibra said:

"Very odd pick all things considered, wonder where the real influence here came from? First American born pope, Cardinal since 2023 only? There are about a dozen or so American candidates that should have been more highly considered, as a practicing Catholic, I suppose its Gods will."

@johni_sweeney said:

"Keep JD Vance away from this one! We remember what happened last time!"

@Zed180_ said:

"Cannot believe there's an American Pope."

Peter Turkson: 6 Key Facts About Ghana’s Cardinal

YEN.com.gh reported that Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana has once again emerged as Africa’s most prominent contender for the papacy.

As Christianity continues to grow rapidly across the continent, many believe the time may be ripe for a pope from Africa.

Cardinal Turkson was widely respected as one of the most influential African voices within the Catholic Church.

He currently serves as the chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, a prestigious Vatican role that places him at the heart of global Church discourse.

Source: YEN.com.gh