Chicago-born Robert Prevost has spent much of his time serving in Peru, and was just elected the first American pope.

Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was chosen as the 267th Pope elected by 133 cardinals locked inside the Sistine Chapel on the second day of their conclave - a process that has been in the cultural zeitgeist recently due to the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name starring Ralph Fiennes.

As the new pope's name was announced, it stunned many around the globe: Robert Prevost, a cardinal from Chicago and the first-ever American pope.

An hour after white smoke billowed from the Vatican, newly minted Pope emerged on the historic balcony to the world & 1.4 billion Catholics

The election of Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, as the new pontiff has delighted Catholics and officials alike.

More than a dozen members of the Gary Memorial United Methodist Church in Wheaton already traveling in Rome witnessed papal history.

"The Pope is from Chicago. This is one of the biggest moments in the modern history of our city," said Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement.

The students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy who earlier this week held a mock conclave were overjoyed Thursday when Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope.