Americans in St. Peter’s Square were stunned and joyous when they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Provost, was elected pope and had taken the name Leo XIV.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, originally from Chicago and known for his extensive missionary work in Peru, has been elected the first American pope, taking the name Leo XIV.

At the University of St. Thomas, students convened to watch the events unfold from Rome, reacting to the significant moment.

Growing numbers of people are making bets on next week’s conclave to elect the next pope.

Pope Francis has made a surprise entrance to St. Peter’s Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and medical workers in his first public appearance at the Vatican since leaving the hospital.

Pope Francis was hospitalized on Feb. 14, after suffering a bout of bronchitis for weeks and after increasingly finding it hard to speak publicly.

MEXICO CITY – Mexico City was alive Friday night with the arrival of Pope Francis. From the crowd of supporters, to Mexico's president, to the mariachi performers Pope Francis was welcomed with open, loving arms to Mexico City. Channel 2's Keith Garvin is in Mexico City covering the Pope's trip and has run into several groups of Houstonians there to see Francis. One group planned their tour of Mexico around the Pope's visit once they learned he was coming. Pope Francis will spend every night in Mexico City on his visit and will take a helicopter to travel to the other cities on his itinerary.