On May 8, 2025, the world turned its eyes to the Vatican City as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling the election of the 267th Supreme Pontiff.
The Cardinals’ Conclave, convened after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, had deliberated in private on his replacement for three days.
Cardinals from every corner of the globe cast their secret votes under Michelangelo’s frescoes until a two-thirds majority emerged.
At 18:09, the smoke appeared, and St Peter’s Square erupted in cheers, thousands of pilgrims and onlookers clutching phones and rosaries, eagerly waiting to know the identity of the new church father.
A little over an hour later, French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced in Latin from the famous balcony of the Basilica “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam,” or in English: “I announce to you a great joy; we have a Pope.”
Then, a visibly emotional Robert Francis Prevost appeared, the 69-year-old Cardinal-bishop from Chicago, US and the new pontiff. As papal name, he chose Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV’s first words to the crowd brought a message of peace with many parts of the world suffering from war and destruction. He also emphatically referred to his predecessor Francis, indicating ideological continuity.
“Peace be with you all,” the pontiff proclaimed.
“Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for God’s flock. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to the whole earth.
“Peace be with you! This is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed peace and a disarming, humble and persevering peace.
“It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally. We still keep in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed Rome!”
Pope Leo XIV Speech (English Translation) – 1/2
“God loves you. Everyone. And evil shall not prevail.” pic.twitter.com/4ZEg2hSLuM
— Modern Crusaders (@WeCrusaders) May 8, 2025
As Pope, he becomes the spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics globally.
World leaders from all corners of the world congratulated Leo XIV. US President Donald Trump welcomed the appointment of his countryman on his personal online portal Truth Social.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a great honour for our country.
“I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the new Pope.
“I am certain that the constructive dialogue and interaction that has been established between Russia and the Vatican will develop further on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,” news agencies quoted Putin as saying.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcome the new pontiff and said: “Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he hoped for stronger ties between his country and the Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City, as Israel and Francis had had a strained relationship.
“We aim to strengthen relations between Israel and the Holy See, as well as friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and around the world,” Herzog said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said: “We sincerely congratulate His Holiness Leo XIV on his election as Pope and head of the Catholic Church.
“We wish that his pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue.”
Robert Prevost became the first US Pope exactly 150 years after the US got their first cardinal, John McCloskey. He was created Cardinal-Priest of S Maria sopra Minerva by Pope Pius IX on March 15, 1875.
Pope Leo XIV, whose father, Louis Marius Prevost, was of French and Italian descent and mother Mildred Martínez of Spanish descent, spent a long time as a missionary in Peru, where he became an archbishop.
Prevost became a cardinal only in 2023, to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world.
Prevost was also twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order founded in the 13th century by St Augustine. It operates in 50 countries and has a special focus on a life of community and equality among its members.
Before joining the Augustinian order, he studied mathematics.
In many respects, Prevost demonstrated a closeness to the late pontiff. He was regarded as a moderate reformer who remained steadfast in his core beliefs.
His position on environmental issues was particularly strong: As with Francis, Prevost has consistently advocated for decisive action against climate change.
It was not specified why the name Leo was chosen. It could have signalled a desire to align with the values of Leo I: Strong leadership, doctrinal clarity, and a pastoral commitment to peace and unity.
Leo the Great, as he was also known, reigned from 440 until 461 and was one of the most influential popes in early Church history.
He upheld orthodox doctrine, particularly by opposing “heresies” such as Monophysitism and reinforced the authority of the papacy within the universal Church. He promoted peace — most notably by persuading Attila the Hun to retreat from Rome — and was later recognised as a Doctor of the Church for his influential theological writings.
