In a historic and unprecedented moment for the Catholic Church, Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope on Thursday, becoming the first pontiff from the United States. He will lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics under the papal name Leo XIV.
The announcement sparked jubilant scenes in St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands of faithful and onlookers cheered, waved flags, and recorded history on their phones as Prevost stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Smiling broadly, the new pope greeted the crowd with a simple yet powerful message: “Peace be with you.”
White Smoke Signals a New Era for the Catholic Church
Prevost’s election was signaled by a plume of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney late Thursday afternoon, following two days of secret balloting by 133 cardinals — the largest, most international conclave in church history. Bells rang out across Rome as the faithful rushed toward St. Peter’s Square in anticipation.
The new pontiff, who succeeds the late Pope Francis — a transformative yet sometimes controversial figure — was introduced in Latin before stepping forward to deliver his first address as leader of the global Church.
A Crowd United in Celebration
From priests waving Brazilian flags to families from across Europe, the square was filled with emotional scenes. “I’m not an overly religious person, but being here with all these people just blew me away,” said Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The traditional Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) echoed through the square as Bruna Hodara from Brazil captured the moment on her phone. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said 15-year-old Florian Fried from Munich.
A New Pope in a Divided World
Pope Leo XIV takes office during a time of global uncertainty and internal church division. He inherits a range of challenges, from continuing fallout over sexual abuse scandals to reconciling the Church’s conservative and progressive wings, and confronting geopolitical tensions.
The conclave’s cardinals weighed not only theological concerns but also the pressing need for a moral voice amid modern global conflicts and rising nationalism. The late Pope Francis, known for championing environmental protection and migrant rights, had appointed 80 percent of the voting cardinals, though his progressive stance sometimes met resistance.
The Road Ahead: Unity, Reform, and Renewal
As tradition dictates, after his election Prevost entered the “Room of Tears” to don papal vestments and gather himself before rejoining the cardinals for their pledges of obedience. His formal inauguration Mass is expected within the week, where he will deliver a homily outlining his vision for the Church’s future.
With declining clergy numbers in the West and shifting demographics toward the Global South, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership marks a critical chapter for Catholicism. His first Urbi et Orbi (“To the City and the World”) blessing signals both continuity and change in a faith that spans centuries.
