Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Thursday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Thursday morning white smoke steamed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope was selected by the palpal conclave.

Cardinal Robert Prevost was official announced as the successor to Pope Francis. Prevost has taken on the name Leo XIV. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Leo XIV has become the first Pope from the United States.

Leo was initial brought to the Vatican by former pope Francis in 2023 to serve in the Dicastery for Bishops. This offices assess bishop candidates for nomination from around the world. This position gave Leo attention going into the conclave ahead of other cardinals.

Leo’s selection as the pope came relatively early into the conclave that began Wednesday. His predecessors, Francis and Benedict XVI were revealed in the evening of the conclave’s second day. John Paul II was selected on the third day of the conclave in 1978.

The new pontiff’s first message to the public was “Peace be with all of you!” This was delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basillica. He said he wanted his message of peach to “enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are.”

Leo also thanked Pope Francis in his speech and called for the church to continue his predecessor’s efforts to engage with the modern world.

Chad Zielinkski, Bishop for the New Ulm Diocese was pleased with the selection of Prevost.

“It is with great joy that the Universal Church has received the most exciting and

wonderful news of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV,” Zielinkski said in a statement. “I truly believe the Holy Spirit guided the College of Cardinals in selecting the right man to lead the Church in the upcoming years.”

Zielinksi said head previously met the new pontiff in 2016. The two were attending the same course for new bishops in Rome.

“Out of the 120 bishops from mission dioceses worldwide, he and I were the only two Americans,” Zielinksi said. “I was serving the Diocese of Fairbanks in Northern Alaska, and he was

just named a bishop for the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru. I remember having discussions with him about

the indigenous villages of his diocese. He was quite fascinated by the Eskimo culture of Alaska. He

struck me as a kind-hearted, gentle, quiet man who truly had the heart of Christ the Good Shepherd.

He had a deeply heartfelt concern for the poor and truly had the heart of a missionary priest.”

Zielinksi said he was happy that Pope Francis appointed him a cardinal a few years ago, the to the Dicastery for Bishops.

“I am filled with hope and anticipation for the future of the Church under his leadership. He will carry

forward the missionary fervor that Pope Francis ignited, and I am eager to hear more from our newly

elected Holy Father,” Zielinski said.

“The faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm and I join the Universal Church in our prayers for Pope Leo

XIV. His election as the first pope from the United States of America is a historic moment and a

wonderful blessing for our nation.”