Robert Prevost has been elected the first American pope in history, and Chicago is here for it. The big picture: When word came of Pope Leo XIV's Chicago roots, witty local comments flooded social media timelines,

By Emily Schmall, Tom Polansek and Christopher Walljasper CHICAGO (Reuters) -The old parish church buildings on Chicago's far South Side where Pope Leo XIV grew up, attended grammar school and launched his career as a priest are now vacated and in disrepair,

Friends of Pope Leo XIV are celebrating his election tonight. The first American pope was born in Chicago. NBC News’ Shaquille Brewster reports.

The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.

Chicago White Sox fans say the hope of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican will help usher in winning ways on the field, given that the pope, born on the South Side of Chicago, is said to be a Sox fan himself.

Pope Leo XIV has plenty to say about his home country. The first-ever American pope was elected to lead the Catholic church on May 8. On Monday, May 12, the Chicago-born pontiff — previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost — made an appearance at the Vatican where he offered a cryptic answer to one reporter’s question.