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No one expected Leo to be pope — except everyone who knew him as 'Bob'

Written and edited by the WorldPing NewsdeskPublished Updated Original reporting: NPR Top
No one expected Leo to be pope — except everyone who knew him as 'Bob'WorldPing
Image via NPR Top.

What happened

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.

Key facts

  • When the 2025 conclave began, no one expected an American pope.
  • Reported by NPR Top and published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 09:00:00 UTC.

Why it matters

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What to watch next

  • Official statements or denials from the governments named
  • Whether other major newsrooms confirm the same details
  • Any follow-up decision, vote or deadline tied to the event

Sources

The original report was published by NPR Top. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.

Read the full report at NPR Top

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