Robert Francis Prevost became the first American to ascend to the papacy on Thursday, choosing the name Leo XIV after being elected by cardinals representing the global Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion members.
St. Peter’s Square was filled with tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators who erupted in cheers as Prevost made his initial appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. With a warm smile, he waved with both hands, bowed, and greeted the crowd, saying, “Peace be with you.”
The election of the new pope was signaled by white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney on the second day of the cardinals’ secret conclave. As the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica and other churches across Rome rang out in celebration, people flocked to the square, eager to witness the moment. Red curtains had been placed on the balcony, setting the stage for the 267th pope’s first public address.
After being introduced in Latin under his chosen papal name, Leo XIV, the American pontiff succeeded Argentine Pope Francis, known for his reformist stance.
Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast, Northern Ireland, who attended the event with his mother, expressed his amazement, saying, “I’m not particularly religious, but being here among all these people has been overwhelming.” As the atmosphere grew more jubilant, a priest was seen waving a Brazilian flag while standing on someone’s shoulders, and another raised a heavy crucifix in celebration.
Bruna Hodara, a 41-year-old Brazilian, enthusiastically shouted “Habemus papam!”—echoing the traditional phrase announcing a new pope—while capturing the moment on her phone. Others in the crowd waved flags and chanted “Viva Il Papa!” (“Long live the pope!”). Florian Fried, a 15-year-old from Munich, Germany, described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Pope Francis passed away last month at the age of 88 after a 12-year papacy marked by efforts to promote a more compassionate Church, though his progressive approach often drew criticism from conservatives. His successor, Leo XIV, now faces the challenge of navigating global conflicts, healing divisions within the Church, and addressing the ongoing fallout from sexual abuse scandals.
The conclave of 133 cardinals from five continents, the largest and most diverse in history, began voting on Wednesday. Bound by a vow of secrecy under threat of excommunication, the cardinals communicated their progress only through the smoke from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Black smoke on Wednesday and Thursday morning indicated a lack of consensus, but white smoke finally appeared on Thursday evening around 6:00 pm (1600 GMT), signaling a successful election.
The number of ballots cast remains unknown, but the selection process concluded in under two days, following recent precedent. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected after four ballots, while Pope Francis was chosen in five ballots in 2013. The new pope required a two-thirds majority of votes to be elected.
Following his election, Leo XIV entered the Room of Tears, where newly chosen popes can process the weight of their new role. He then donned the traditional papal cassock for the first time before rejoining the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel to receive their pledges of obedience. Shortly afterward, he made his first appearance on the balcony to be formally announced with the traditional proclamation, “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”).
Leo XIV then gave his initial blessing, “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”), and delivered a brief address.
The election occurred during a period of significant global instability, a factor that influenced the voting process, alongside ongoing divisions within the Church. Francis, as a reformist pope, prioritized issues such as environmental protection and migrant rights, but faced opposition from traditionalists seeking a more doctrinally strict leadership. Although nearly 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis, the outcome was far from certain.
Cardinals were urged by their dean, Giovanni Battista Re, to choose a leader capable of maintaining Church unity and providing direction during a complex historical period marked by conflict and the rise of nationalist movements. The Church continues to struggle with declining numbers of priests and dwindling congregations, particularly in Western nations.
Typically, the inauguration of a new pope occurs within a week of the election, marked by a ceremonial mass attended by political and religious leaders from around the world.”