section_path: Papacy (2025–present)/Election
section_name: Election
paragraph_text: Election
  
  In pre-conclave speculation, Prevost was considered a dark horse compared to more prominent papabili, although he was noted to be an ally of Pope Francis and a possible compromise candidate. His American nationality had been regarded as a potential stumbling block to his candidacy, reflecting unease about enhancing the United States's geopolitical power. Prevost was well aware of this, explaining to a friend by text message: "I'm an American, I can't be elected". Supporters argued that he represented a "dignified middle of the road ".
  
  Prevost was elected pope on May 8, 2025, the second day of the conclave, on the fourth ballot. White smoke appeared from the Sistine Chapel at 18:07 CEST (UTC+2), signifying to the public that a pope had been chosen. After accepting his election and adopting his papal name, Leo embraced his fellow cardinals upon exiting the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, the cardinal protodeacon, made the traditional Latin proclamation, Habemus papam, announcing Pope Leo XIV to the public for the first time from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. According to Italian law enforcement, by the time of the habemus papam announcement, right before Pope Leo XIV revealed himself, there were up to 150,000 in the square.
  
  Leo appeared wearing the traditional papal stole and mozzetta, vestments Pope Francis did not wear upon his greeting of the world following his election. His pectoral cross was one he wore during the conclave, a gift from the Postulator General of the Augustinian Order when he became a cardinal, containing relics from Saint Augustine and his mother Saint Monica, among others. He then delivered his first address in Italian and Spanish. He expressed gratitude for the legacy of Pope Francis, and imparted his first Urbi et Orbi blessing in Latin.
  
  Leo XIV is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine and the second pope from the Americas (after Pope Francis), and the 267th overall pope. He is a dual citizen of Peru and the United States. He is the first American pope, in the sense of being the first born in the United States. He is the second to be a native English speaker, after the English-born Adrian IV (r. 1154–1159), who would have spoken Middle English. Leo is also the first pope born after World War II and during the Cold War, and thus the first to be born in the Baby Boomer generation. While Leo is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine, six previous popes belonged to other orders which follow the Augustinian Rule.