Prevost's selection was a surprise, as he was not among some of the top contenders expected to succeed the progressive, popular Pope Francis. He was ordained in 1981 as a member of the Order of Saint Augustine.

Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, becoming the first pope from the United States and defying a longstanding belief that church leaders would never select a pope from a global superpower that already has considerable influence in world affairs.