(NewsNation) — Robert Prevost, who will take the name Pope Leo XIV, has been selected at the 267th pope.

Leo XIV is the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history. The possibility of having an American pope was seen as highly unlikely in the weeks leading up to the conclave, even with the names of 10 American cardinals in the voting bloc.

He was not considered a major front-runner when the conclave started, but his name was heard as possibly being on the periphery.

As Pope Leo XIV’s selection was announced, people in the crowd outside St. Peter’s Basilica cheered and waved an American flag.

Pope Leo XIV will now lead the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.