No one expected an American pope. Here's the inside story of how 'Bob' became Pope Leo

When the 2025 conclave began, no one expected an American pope. But by its end, Cardinal Robert Prevost had become Pope Leo. Here's a look behind the scenes.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5000x3335+0+0/resize/5000x3335!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F57%2F72da0adf49f3bf2128c04f80dcdc%2Fgettyimages-2212121081.jpg' alt='Robert Prevost is seen in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square as he attends the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025. The next month, Prevost would be elected the first American pope, becoming Pope Leo.'/><p>When the 2025 conclave began, no one expected an American pope. But by its end, Cardinal Robert Prevost had become Pope Leo. Here's a look behind the scenes.</p><p>(Image credit: Franco Origlia)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5987816' />