It has been announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost will be the next leader of the Catholic Church. He is the first pope hailing from the United States and has adopted the papal name Leo XIV. for further details.
Pope Leo XIV has become the newest leader of the Catholic Church.
He is the first North American leader of the church in its 2,000-year history.
In his inaugural speech, Leo XIV urged the faithful to ‘unite as one.’
The most recent update regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV comes from Vatican City on Thursday, May 8th.
Trump praises ‘significant honor’ with the election of America’s first papal leader
US President Donald Trump has sent his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV for assuming the position as the new leader of the Catholic Church and notably being its inaugural American pontiff.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” the president wrote on his Truth social media platform. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.”
Trump expressed his hope of meeting Leo someday.
He penned, ‘I am looking forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV,’ adding, ‘It will undoubtedly be an immensely significant moment!’
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, originally named Robert Francis Prevost, was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955.
In 1977, he joined the Order of Saint Augustine. Prevost pursued studies at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, where he earned a diploma in theology.
When he reached 27 years old, he was dispatched to Rome for studying canon law at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University (known as Angelicum).
He was subsequently dispatched to Peru by his order as a missionary, after which he divided his time among different roles both in the United States and Peru.
Previously, Prevost led the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru and served as the second vice president of the Peruvian bishops’ conference.
Pope Francis met him in the South American nation and named him the leader of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, thus elevating him to the rank of cardinal.
The Dicastery for Bishops essentially functions as the human resources division within the structure of the Catholic Church. As part of this responsibility, over the last two years, he has overseen the selection of bishops globally.
Meanwhile, Prevost served as the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV delivers his inaugural speech.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural speech to the globe’s 1.4 billion Catholics from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“May peace be upon you all,” Pope Leo XIV said to the assembly gathered at the Vatican.
Leo XIV stated that he was an Augustinian priest, but also emphasized that his primary identity was as a Christian and a bishop.
“As we all move forward together,” he stated.
The recently chosen pope encouraged individuals to “construct bridges via conversation, through meeting each other, to unite as one community, always in harmony.”
He similarly paid tribute to his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV initially greeted the crowd in Italian, then switched to Spanish, reminiscing about his extensive time serving as a missionary in Peru, a place where he would later be appointed Archbishop of Chiclayo.
The 66-year-old American cardinal marks the Catholic Church’s first leadership role from North America in its 2,000-year existence.
Cardinal Robert Prevost has been declared as Pope Leo XIV.
The Vatican has declared that American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will head the Catholic Church as Pope Leo XIV.
Leo XIV becomes the inaugural US-born pontiff.
Pope chosen after fourth vote, reports indicate
As reported by the Italian news agency Ansa, the election of the new pope concluded during the fifth ballot.
The assembly of 133 cardinals to choose a new pope following the recent passing of Pope Francis started shortly after sunset on Wednesday.
There was one unsuccessful ballot on Wednesday. Three more ballots were held on Thursday. A two-thirds majority is required.
Throughout much of the last hundred years, the papal election required anywhere from three to fourteen rounds of voting during the conclave.
John Paul I, who served as pope for just 33 days in 1978, was chosen on the fourth vote. Following him, John Paul II required eight ballots to be elected. In 2013, Francis became pope after five rounds of voting.
St. Peter’s Square bursts into joyful cheers
Crowds of Catholics along with intrigued spectators in St. Peter’s Square erupted into cheers and applause as they witnessed white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, indicating the selection of a new pontiff.
Since the start of the conclave on Wednesday, people have come together from all corners of the globe.
Upon hearing about the election of a new pope, the audience erupted with cheers of “Hallelujah!” and “Viva il papa!”.
“One spectator traveling from Belfast to Rome for this event described it as an incredible experience,” they shared.
They shared with the AFP news agency, ‘I’m not particularly devout, but being among so many people here really left me speechless.’
The leading candidates for becoming the new pope included individuals from European, African, and Asian backgrounds among the cardinals under consideration.
White smoke appears. What occurs afterward?
During the conclave, when a nominee secures a two-thirds majority vote, which equates to 89 ballots, they select their pontifical name and proceed to the ” Room of Tears” to change into their papal attire.
Minutes later, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he is introduced to the world with the proclamation in Latin, “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!” (“I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a Pope!”).
This will swiftly be succeeded by the unveiling of his baptismal name in Latin, along with the papal name selected by the newly elected pope.
The initial indication of the new pope’s focus could manifest through his chosen papal name. If he selects “Francis,” it may indicate an alignment with Pope Francis’ emphasis on serving the underprivileged and those at society’s margins; conversely, choosing “Pius” might imply a preference for more conservative values and traditions.
Following a brief address, the newly elected pope will bestow his inaugural blessing.
White smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney
White smoke has appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
The smoke indicates that the 133 cardinal electors within the chapel have chosen a new pope to head the Catholic Church.
A throng of devoted followers burst into applause at St. Peter’s Square when they saw the smoke rising from the chimney.
However, the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics must await an official declaration from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to discover who the new pope will be.
The name of the new pope will be announced later when a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus papam” — Latin for “We have a pope.”
Cardinals keep discussing to choose a new pope.
On Thursday afternoon, following a lunch break, the cardinals remain inside the Sistine Chapel as they continue their efforts to choose a new pope to succeed Francis. There’s potential for up to two additional rounds of voting among the 133 cardinal electors on this day.
Since none of the candidates have achieved the required two-thirds majority, which amounts to at least 89 votes, the suspense remains as they await the announcement of the new head of the Catholic Church.
Even though there was disappointment when black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney earlier in the day, numerous people gathered at St. Peter’s Square still hold out hope for a swift selection of a new pope—possibly as early as during the fourth or fifth round of voting scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
“By tonight, as we return to Rome, I expect to see white smoke,” stated Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals. Despite leading the Mass prior to the start of the conclave, he will not be participating in the voting process since only those below 80 years old can participate in casting ballots.
Dark smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel
Dark smoke has billowed from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, indicating that no new pope was chosen in this recent series of votes.
Another two rounds of voting have been set for Thursday, with the last vote of the day planned for 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT).
Devotees express their wishes for the new pope
Robust ethical principles, a compassionate spirit, or the inaugural Filipino pontiff?
Jack Parrock from ‘s Jack was present at the Vatican to inquire about the aspirations of some of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics regarding the selection of the next pope.
Welcome back to our latest updates
Welcome back to our live coverage of the papal conclave, with 133 cardinal electors now choosing a new leader to succeed Pope Francis.
The cardinals have reconvened at the Sistine Chapel to continue their papal elections as the initial vote did not produce a winner, indicated by the dark smoke rising from the chapel’s chimney on Wednesday night.
Throngs of pilgrims and visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, gazing towards the Sistine Chapel in anticipation of white smoke signaling another round of voting had concluded.
The papal electors attended Mass jointly in the Pauline Chapel prior to convening their ballot session a short distance away in the Sistine Chapel around 9:15 a.m., local time. The process involves two rounds of voting each day, with sessions held once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
Should no contender secure the necessary two-thirds majority during the initial vote held either in the morning or afternoon, a subsequent ballot will be conducted right away. Following this, a plume of smoke will ascend from the rooftop of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the result.
Should the ascending smoke be black, voting proceeds further. The emission of white smoke signals the successful selection of a new pope, which might occur either during an initial morning or afternoon ballot session once a consensus has been reached.
The necessary vote count stands at 89 out of the 133 cardinal electors. Leading the conclave is the most senior cardinal bishop who is below 80 years old, 70-year-old Italian Pietro Parolin.
Cardinals fail to agree on next pope in first vote
Dark smoke ascended above the Vatican on Wednesday, indicating that as anticipated, the Catholic cardinals were unable to come to an agreement on selecting the next pope for the Church.
Hundreds of individuals assembled in St. Peter’s Square had to remain patient as the smoke emerged from the chimney much later than anticipated, over three hours since the cardinals initiated the conclave process.
The following vote will occur on Thursday.
With that, we will conclude our live coverage of the papal conclave.
Activists release pink smoke to push for women’sordination
When the cardinals began their conclave, a group of activists released pink smoke in a nearby park overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, calling for women to have the right to pursue priesthood.
We’re telling the cardinals that they can’t continue to overlook 50% of the Catholic population,” said campaigner Miriam Duignan to AFP News Agency. “They shouldn’t enter a sealed chamber to deliberate about the Church’s future without including half of their congregation.
“Aspirants for the position must demonstrate sufficient courage to address the issue of women’s inclusion effectively, as this matter remains unresolved even under Pope Francis,” stated Duignan.
The pink smoke served as an artistic interpretation of the smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney, which signals whether a new pope has been chosen.
Despite women beginning to occupy high-ranking non-clerical positions within the worldwide Catholic Church, particularly during Pope Francis’s tenure, they continue to be barred from the priesthood.
Kate McElwee, who serves as the executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference advocacy organization, characterized this exclusion as both an injustice and a “crisis” impacting the Catholic Church.
“Although the world might anticipate white smoke or black smoke, we raise pink smoke as a symbol of our hope that one day the Church will embrace women as equals,” she stated.
The doors of the Sistine Chapel have closed, signaling the start of the conclave.
The doors of the Sistine Chapel have been shut.
The Catholic cardinals responsible for choosing the next pope have been locked away behind the massive wooden doors.
The conclave officially started, and if everything proceeds as per the Vatican’s plans, the public will remain uninformed until a new pope is chosen and white smoke appears billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.
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