A new Pope has been chosen: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is now Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old American was prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, charged with vetting all of the candidates for bishops in the United States and around the world. This marks the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church that an American has been chosen as leader of the over one billion faithful worldwide.
Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square cheered as the Vatican’s church bells rang after the signal of white smoke emanated from a stovepipe chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. The new Pope was announced by the cardinal protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, who spoke to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica’s central loggia, introducing the news with the traditional phrase in Latin: “I announce to you news of great joy: we have a new pope.” (“Nuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus papam.”) The newly selected religious leader then appeared at the same terrace shortly after, revealing the new name he has selected as pontiff and delivering his inaugural Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world” in Latin) address. In his first words as Pope, delivered in flawless Italian, Leo called for Catholics of the world to open themselves to the “disarming and disarmed peace” of the Almighty, “who loves us unconditionally.” He continued with a greeting in Spanish to his flock in Peru, where he had served as a bishop, and ended his address with a Hail Mary prayer delivered in Italian.
Leo appeared wearing a red silk sash with gold thread, a departure from the plain white robe worn by Francis, and a return to the more ornate regalia associated with the leader of the Catholic faith.
The signal came after less than two days of voting among the 133 Cardinals, with the new leader chosen based on a margin of at least 89 votes. The process was carried out behind closed doors via secret ballot in the Sistine Chapel.
