In a moment of history and celebration, the Vatican announced the election of a new pope on May 8, 2025. The world watched as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signaling the conclusion of the papal conclave. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born church leader, was chosen to lead the Catholic Church, becoming the first-ever Pope from the United States. He has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
The announcement was met with cheers from the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. This marks a historic moment for the Catholic Church, which has never had a pope from the U.S. The new pontiff, who is also a citizen of Peru, brings a wealth of experience, having served as the head of the Church’s Dicastery for Bishops and working extensively within the Church in South America.
Pope Leo’s first words were ‘Habemus papam’
@cbsnews Pope Leo XIV gives his first address on the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony at the Vatican. After two days of votes, the cardinals elected the first ever American pope. He is also a citizen of Peru, where he worked for many years. #pope #catholic #rome #peru #usa ♬ original sound – cbsnews
Pope Leo XIV’s first appearance was at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. In his inaugural speech, he extended a message of peace. “Habemus papam,” he said in Italian, sharing a message of humble peace that he described as coming from God.
He also made a reference to Pope Francis, the Pope who passed away just weeks earlier, stating, “We still keep in our ears that weak, but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome… Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail.”
Pope Leo XIV’s election was confirmed on May 8, 2025, after several rounds of voting by the 133 cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel. The conclave began on May 7, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Despite initial rounds of voting resulting in black smoke indicating no agreement on a pope, the cardinal electors quickly reached a decision on the second day. The swift conclusion of the vote, confirmed with the presence of white smoke, was a decisive choice made just under 48 hours after the conclave commenced. It is pretty different from some of the longer conclaves in history, such as the 13th-century conclave that lasted nearly three years.
This conclave, held in the wake of Pope Francis’ death, followed a tradition of secrecy and prayer, with 133 cardinal electors participating. Prevost’s election has been described as a shift toward a centrist leader, though his views on certain issues remain more conservative. He has expressed a desire to continue the work of Pope Francis, who advocated for marginalized groups and social justice. However, Prevost has also maintained traditional church positions, such as opposing the ordination of women as deacons.
Who is the new Pope? Here’s what we know about him
The new Pope is Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old native of Chicago, Illinois. Not only is he the first American Pope in history, but he also represents a continuation of the progressive social outlook fostered by Pope Francis. His leadership is expected to focus on issues such as poverty, migration, and interfaith dialogue.
Before his election, Cardinal Prevost served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing the appointment of new bishops worldwide. This work gave him significant experience in leadership roles within the Church. Prevost has been praised for his ability to navigate complex church issues and has long been regarded as a diplomatic leader. His experience in the Vatican’s leadership structure has made him a well-suited choice to lead the Church in the modern era.
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As Pope Leo XIV takes on the heavy mantle of leadership, the Catholic Church faces numerous challenges from internal struggles over doctrine to the global demands for social justice and humanitarian outreach. However, Pope Leo XIV’s selection offers a hopeful sign to the Catholic Church. World leaders quickly expressed their congratulations. U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted how historic it is for the United States to have its first-ever Pope, while Polish President Andrzej Duda also remarked on the significance of this moment for the Catholic Church worldwide.