Robert Prevost was not on the top of anyone's list of papabili, and yet he was elected after just four ballots. Who is he? How did this happen? What kind of pope will he be? He was a surprise choice; will he be a pope of surprises? Currently, both liberals and conservatives are singing his praises. Will he continue the reforms of Pope Francis or will there be a retreat?

Thomas Reese is a Jesuit priest and author of Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church. He is senior analyst for Religion News Service and was in Rome for the conclaves that elected Popes Benedict XVI, Francis and Leo XIV.