Newly elected Pope Leone XIV seems on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, Thursday, Might 8, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
VATICAN CITY — U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, the primary time an American has led the Roman Catholic Church. Provost, 69, selected the identify Pope Leo XIV.
Editor’s word: It is a growing story. An earlier model continues under.
White smoke streamed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals inside have elected a brand new pope.
A roar erupted from the group after they noticed the white smoke billow from the chimney, which is proven on a number of massive screens in St. Peter’s Sq.. On the similar time, the large bells of St. Peter’s Basilica started to ring, tolling the information that the Catholic Church has a brand new pope. The group continues to construct as many carry their international locations’ flags.
The identification of the brand new pontiff isn’t but identified. Vatican officers are anticipated to announce his identify in Latin from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly.
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a 73-year-old Frenchman born in Morocco, is anticipated to make the announcement — until he himself is elected pope.
Then the brand new pope himself will seem and deal with the group.
Rome is brimming with pleasure, as 1000’s collect close to the By way of della Conciliazione to be current for the historic second when the brand new pope is introduced and offered to the world.
Whereas the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics await the emergence of the brand new chief of their church on the well-known loggia, a collection of rituals are happening.
As soon as a profitable vote is full, essentially the most senior cardinal asks the newly elected pope, “Do you settle for your canonical election as supreme pontiff?”
After he accepts, he’s then requested, “What identify do you want to be referred to as?”
The cardinal electors then pay homage and pledge obedience to the brand new head of the church, and thanks are given to God whereas the brand new pope is taken right into a vestry and fitted with papal apparel.
Lastly, the pronouncement is made in Latin — “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I convey you tidings of nice pleasure: We’ve a pope!”) — and the brand new pope provides an apostolic blessing to throngs of devoted.
The brand new pontiff was chosen by 133 cardinal electors by a two-thirds majority.
