Cardinal Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, has been elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Robert Francis Prevost, who led the Vatican office that selects and manages bishops globally, has spent much of his life outside the United States.

Pope Leo XIV has been elected following roughly 24 hours of deliberation among the 133-member College of Cardinals, the Vatican announced on Thursday.