The Catholic Church conclave of cardinals has elected 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States as the 267th pontiff on Thursday, marking the first time an American has ascended to the papacy.
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6.08 pm local time, and Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announced from the Loggia of Blessings, “Habemus Papam! We have a pope!”
Taking the name Leo XIV, Pope Leo XIV made his maiden appearance to a roaring crowd of more than 40,000 faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square. He began with a simple blessing: “Peace be with you,” before speaking in Italian to urge Catholics everywhere to overcome division.
“Let us be united, hand in hand with God and amongst ourselves,” the new pope said.
“Let’s move forward, because we are the disciples of Christ. The world needs your light.”
A veteran of Vatican diplomacy, Pope Leo XIV speaks six languages and previously served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. His election is widely viewed as a bridge between the Church’s progressive wing—who praised his pastoral approach—and its conservative faction, which respects his traditional stances on doctrine.
In the hours after his election, the pontiff echoed the bridge-building ethos of his predecessor, Pope Francis, noting the Church’s urgent need to foster dialogue and solidarity. “We must build bridges, not walls,” he said, according to an official Vatican transcript.
Global and U.S. Reactions
World leaders swiftly issued congratulations. U.S. President Joe Biden hailed the election as “a proud moment for American Catholics,” while former President Donald Trump, who often sparred with Pope Francis, called Leo XIV’s selection an “honour for our country” and expressed eagerness to meet the new pontiff.
Within the Vatican, cardinals lauded the choice of a seasoned diplomat. “Cardinal Prevost brings deep pastoral care and rigorous governance experience,” said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.
“He understands the global Church and its challenges.”
Observers note that Pope Leo XIV’s background with the Augustinian order, his work in Latin America and his oversight of ecumenical outreach position him to continue Francis’s focus on the poor and marginalised. Yet his critics point to his record on clerical abuse allegations, urging the new pope to take more robust action.
Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV faces a packed schedule of diplomatic visits, synods and reform initiatives. On Friday, tradition calls for his first Mass as pontiff in the Sistine Chapel, followed by the “kiss of peace” ritual—though it remains to be seen whether he will adopt the more informal style preferred by Pope Francis.
As Catholics around the world celebrate the dawn of the Leo XIV era, his clarion call to “advance together” sets the tone for a papacy committed to unity in an age of division.
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