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Robert Francis Prevost<\/a> was elected on Thursday to lead the world\u2019s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, making him the first pope from the United States. He chose the name Leo XIV.<\/p>\n Speaking from the balcony of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, the pope delivered his first public remarks<\/a> since taking over as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He urged the world to seek peace and remember those who suffer.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what to know about the new pope, how he was chosen from the many contenders<\/a>, and the issues he will face as the successor to Pope Francis, who died last month<\/a> at 88.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was born in Chicago and served for two decades in Peru, where he became a bishop and a naturalized citizen, then rose to lead his international religious order. Leading up to the death of his predecessor, Cardinal Prevost held one of the most influential Vatican posts, running the office that selects and manages bishops globally.<\/p>\n A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he resembles Francis in his commitment to the poor and migrants, and to meeting people where they are. He told the Vatican\u2019s official news website last year that \u201cthe bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n He has spent much of his life outside the United States. Ordained in 1982 at 27, he received a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. In Peru, he was a missionary, parish priest, teacher and bishop. As the Augustinians\u2019 leader, he visited orders around the world. He also speaks Spanish and Italian.<\/p>\n Often described as reserved and discreet, he would depart stylistically from Francis as pope. Supporters believe he will most likely continue the consultative process started by Francis to invite lay people to meet with bishops.<\/p>\n It is unclear whether he will be as open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics as Francis was. Although he has not said much recently, in a 2012 address to bishops, he lamented that Western news media and popular culture fostered \u201csympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.\u201d He cited the \u201chomosexual lifestyle\u201d and \u201calternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As an American, he is uniquely positioned to stand in contrast to the energized conservative Catholicism in his home country. He has pushed back forcefully against the militant vision of Christian power that the Trump administration has elevated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Before he became pope, a social media account under his name shared criticisms<\/a> of the Trump administration\u2019s positions on immigration.<\/p>\n Like many other leaders of the Catholic Church, he has drawn criticism over his dealings with priests accused of sexual abuse.<\/p>\n Francis\u2019 successor was selected in a conclave<\/a> that began on May 7. Cardinals, known as the \u201cprinces of the church,\u201d rank just below the pope in the Roman Catholic Church; together, they are known as the College of Cardinals<\/a>. There are currently 252 cardinals. Only those under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, and there are 135 of them, the largest number in the church\u2019s history. Pope Francis appointed about 80 percent of them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n When a pope dies or steps down \u2014 which is unusual \u2014 the college chooses a successor. The cardinals cast repeated votes until there is a two-thirds majority. After every vote, the ballot papers are burned in a stove, along with an additive that produces a color. The smoke is released through a chimney that can be seen from St. Peter\u2019s Square, where crowds typically gather to watch and wait. If a vote ends without a two-thirds majority, the smoke is black. When a decision is reached, the smoke is white<\/a>.<\/p>\n The length of papal conclaves has varied widely over the centuries. Since 1900, this has been the fifth pope to be elected in two days.<\/p>\n The longest conclave during that time took 14 ballots, lasted five days and produced Pope Pius XI in 1922. Francis was elected after two days of voting<\/a>. <\/p>\n The shortest conclave, the election of Pope Pius XII in 1939, took three ballots. But it has not always been so quick: The conclave that ended with the election of Pope Gregory X on Sept. 1, 1271, took two years, nine months and two days.<\/p>\n The cardinals had to decide whether to choose a pope who would follow Francis\u2019 path of openness and inclusion or pick a pontiff who would forge a different one. During his 12-year pontificate, Francis made landmark declarations that encouraged liberals, including allowing the blessing of people in same-sex unions and raising his voice for migrants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWho is the new pope?<\/h2>\n
Where does he stand on major issues?<\/h2>\n
Who chose the new pope?<\/h2>\n
How long did it take for him to be elected?<\/h2>\n
What are the key issues in the Catholic Church?<\/h2>\n