Cardinal Robert Prevost has been named the new leader of the Catholic Church. As the first pontiff from the United States, he has adopted the papal name Leo XIV. for this role. This development comes with additional details provided by him.
Pope Leo XIV has become the newest leader of the Catholic Church.
He is the first leader from North America in the church’s 2,000-year history.
In his inaugural speech, Pope Leo XIV urged the congregation to ‘unite as one.’
This is the most recent update regarding the election of Pope Leo XIV originating from Vatican City on Thursday, May 8:
Trump praises ‘significant gaji’ 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 becoming its inaugural American pontiff.
“ Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has been appointed as the new Pope,” the president posted on his Truth social media platform. “This is truly an honor to have him become the first American Pope. The excitement is palpable, and this is a great gaji for our nation.”
Trump added that he hoped to one day meet Leo.
He penned, ‘I am looking forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV,’ adding that ‘it will 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 his 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 (also 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 as 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 department within the structure of the Catholic Church. As part of this responsibility, over the last two years, he has overseen the selection and appointment of bishops across the globe.
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 balustrade 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, yet emphasized that his primary identities were being a Christian and a bishop.
“And thus, we can all journey 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 and then switched to Spanish, reminiscing about the numerous years he dedicated as a missionary in Peru, a place where he would later be appointed Archbishop of Chiclayo.
The 66-year-old American cardinal represents the first leader of the Catholic Church from North America in its 2,000-year existence.
Cardinal Robert Prevost 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 on the fourth vote, reports indicate
As reported by the Italian news agency Ansa, the election of the new pope took place during the fourth ballot.
A gathering of 133 cardinals convened on Wednesday evening to choose a new pope following the recent passing of Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, a single vote failed to pass. The following day, Thursday, saw three additional votes take place. Approval requires a supermajority of two-thirds.
Throughout much of the last hundred years, the papal election required anywhere from three to fourteen rounds of voting during the conclave.
Pope John Paul I, who served as pontiff for just 33 days in 1978, was chosen on the fourth vote. Following him, Pope John Paul II required eight ballots before being selected. In 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio became Pope Francis after five rounds of voting.
St. Peter’s Square bursts into joyful clapping
Crowds of Catholics along with intrigued spectators in St. Peter’s Square erupted into cheers and applause when white smoke rose above 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 stated.
They shared with the AFP news agency, ‘I wouldn’t call myself extremely devout, but being amongst so many people like this left me speechless.’
The leading candidates for becoming the new pope included individuals from European, African, and Asian backgrounds among the cardinal electors.
White smoke appears. Now what comes afterward?
During the conclave, when a nominee obtains and agrees to accept a supermajority vote, which consists of 89 ballots, they select their papal name and proceed to the “Room of Tears” to change into their pontifical 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 promptly 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 will be reflected in his chosen papal name. If he selects “Francis,” it could indicate an emphasis on continuing Pope Francis’ commitment to serving the underprivileged and those on society’s fringes. Conversely, choosing “Pius” may imply a preference for more conservative reforms and traditions.
Following a brief address, the newly elected pope will bestow his inaugural blessing.
Plumes of white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel chimney
White smoke has emerged from a chimney in the Sistine Chapel in the 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 individuals burst into applause at St. Peter’s Square when they witnessed the smoke billowing 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 up their discussions aiming 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 select a new pope to succeed Francis. There is potential for up to two additional rounds of voting among the 133 cardinals on this day.
As none of the candidates have yet achieved the required two-thirds majority, which amounts to at least 89 votes, the anticipation builds as they await the announcement of the new head of the Catholic Church.
Even though there was disappointment when black smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney earlier in the day, many people gathered in St. Peter’s Square still hold out hope for a new pope to be selected quickly—possibly as soon as Thursday afternoon with the fourth or fifth round of voting.
“I am hoping that by tonight, upon my return to Rome, I will see white smoke,” stated Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who at 91 years old serves as the dean of the College of Cardinals. Despite leading the Mass prior to the start of the conclave, he won’t be participating in the voting process since only those under 80 are permitted to vote.
Dark smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel.
Dark smoke has billowed out of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, indicating that no new pope was chosen in this recent series of votes.
Another two rounds of voting are set for Thursday, concluding with the last vote of the day at 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT).
Devotees express their wishes for the new pope
Robust ethical principles, a compassionate spirit, or the very first 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 choosing a new leader following Pope Francis.
The cardinals have gone back to the Sistine Chapel to continue their papal election process 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 day of deliberations within.
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 per 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 process, a plume of smoke will emerge from the rooftop chimney above the Sistine Chapel, signaling whether a decision has been reached.
If the emitted smoke is black, voting proceeds further. The appearance of white smoke signals the successful selection of a new pope, which might occur either during the initial morning vote or an afternoon session if consensus is reached then.
The necessary vote count stands at 89 out of the 133 cardinal electors. The role of presiding over the conclave falls to the most senior cardinal bishop below the age of 80, which is the 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 electing a new pontiff.
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 following when the cardinals initiated the conclave.
The following vote will occur on Thursday.
With that, will pause its live coverage of the papal conclave.
Campaigners release pink smoke to demand women’s ordination
When the cardinals began their conclave, a group of activists released pink smoke in a nearby park above St. Peter’s Basilica. They did this to call for allowing women the option to pursue ordination.
We’re telling the cardinals that they can’t continue to overlook 50% of the Catholic population,” said campaigner Miriam Duignan to AFP. “They shouldn’t enter a closed room to deliberate on the Church’s future without including half of their congregation.
” Whoever they choose must have the courage to address the issue of including women effectively, as this has not happened yet, even during Pope Francis’s tenure,” stated Duignan.
The pink smoke served as a twist on the traditional smoke signal emitted from the Sistine Chapel chimney to signify the election of a new pope.
Even though women have begun to assume high-ranking lay positions within the worldwide Catholic Church, particularly during Pope Francis’s tenure, they continue to be barred from the clergy.
Kate McElwee, who leads 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 thick wooden doors.
The assembly formally started, and should everything proceed as per the Vatican’s strategy, the general public will remain uninformed until a new pope is chosen and white smoke emerges from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.