Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, after cardinals from around the world elected him as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
A moderate and former missionary in Peru, Prevost took the papal name Leo XIV, succeeding Pope Francis.
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel just after 6:00 p.m. (1600 GMT), signaling to the world that a new pontiff had been chosen. Bells rang out across Rome as thousands of people rushed to St Peter’s Square, waiting for the traditional announcement from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
“Habemus Papam!”
Cheers erupted as Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran declared in Latin, “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”), and Pope Leo XIV appeared, waving with both hands, smiling, and bowing. “Peace be with you,” he told the cheering crowd.
The atmosphere was electric. Flags from around the world waved, and phones lit up the square as people recorded the historic moment. “Viva Il Papa!” echoed through the crowd. A priest waved a Brazilian flag from someone’s shoulders, while another lifted a crucifix in celebration.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Northern Ireland, who had traveled to Rome with his mother. “I’m not an overly religious person but being here just blew me away.”
A Turning Point for the Church
Pope Francis, who passed away last month at the age of 88, served for 12 years and was known for his compassionate and progressive leadership. His death paved the way for a pivotal election at a time of geopolitical tension and internal Church division.
The conclave that elected Prevost was the most international in history, with 133 cardinal electors from five continents. Despite being largely appointed by Pope Francis, the cardinals were not bound to continue his legacy. They were tasked with choosing a leader who could unite a fractured Church, confront declining priesthood numbers, and offer moral guidance in a conflict-ridden world.
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Before the conclave began, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re urged his fellow cardinals to elect someone capable of leading the Church through these complex times. A key question was whether the Church needed a pastor or a diplomat, a reformer or a traditionalist.
The Election Process
The cardinals began voting on Wednesday. Bound by secrecy and under threat of excommunication, their only means of communication with the outside world was through the color of the smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney. After black smoke appeared twice, indicating no decision, the white smoke on Thursday confirmed a successful vote.
It remains unclear how many ballots were cast, but the process concluded in less than two days — similar to recent elections. By tradition, the newly elected pope visited the “Room of Tears” to don his white papal cassock before returning to the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals pledged obedience.
What Comes Next
Pope Leo XIV’s formal inauguration Mass is expected within the week, attended by religious and political leaders from around the world. He will likely tour St Peter’s Square in the popemobile and deliver his first homily outlining his vision for the Church.
He now faces the monumental task of leading 1.4 billion Catholics, restoring unity within the Church, and addressing pressing issues such as the sexual abuse crisis, declining faith in the West, and global political instability.
