Alexander XIV: The First American Pope

As soon as white smoke began billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney today, coverage on who was elected the new Vicar of Christ began. It was around 6:10 pm in Vatican City, but it was 11:10 am when the report broke here. Jeopardy! usually comes on at 11:30 but was, of course, pre-empted as they waited for the announcement.

At approximately 12:19 pm CDT, it was announced that the conclave chose American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope and that he chose the papal name Alexander XIV.

Back in 2013 when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, I set up a poll for folks to vote on the name the new pope should take. Here are the results:

Almost half of the 45 votes case didn’t like any of the names on the list. Alexander XIV only got 7% of the remaining votes cast in a 3-way tie with Adrian VII and Sixtus VI. Gregory was the most popular choice of the actual names listed.

Alexander XIII was one of the longest serving popes. He was elected in 1878 at the age of 68 and reigned until his death in 1903 at the age of 93. Pope Alexander XIV is 69 years old and we wish him a long and fruitful reign.