VATICAN CITY — A jubilant wave of cheers swept through St. Peter’s Square on Thursday evening as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the election of a new pope. Moments later, the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out in confirmation: the Catholic Church had its new leader.
At 6:07 p.m. local time, the long-awaited announcement came — Habemus Papam. Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American cardinal, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, adopting the name Leo XIV. This marks the first time in history that an American has ascended to the papacy.
The crowd erupted in celebration as clergy made the sign of the cross, nuns wept, and chants of “Viva il Papa!” echoed across the square. Among them was Brazilian nun Sister Monalisa, waving her country’s flag through tears of joy. “I’m so happy we have a pope,” she said.
Prevost secured at least 89 votes among the 133 cardinals gathered in the conclave — the two-thirds majority required. His election came after four rounds of voting, a relatively swift decision by historical standards. The cardinals had been deliberating since Wednesday night, with earlier ballots producing black smoke — indicating no consensus had yet been reached.
Prevost’s selection comes just over two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 following a transformative 12-year papacy. Francis, who took office in 2013 after five rounds of voting, is remembered for ushering in a more open and reform-minded Church, including efforts to engage with modern issues and increase the role of women.
The conclave reportedly debated whether to continue Francis’s path of reform or pivot toward more traditional leadership. Leading contenders had included Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Frenchman Jean-Marc Aveline, and others — but it was Prevost who ultimately emerged as the consensus figure.
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to lead 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the world now watches to see how the first American pontiff will shape the future of the Church — balancing tradition with the demands of a rapidly changing world.
