Cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost as the first pope from the United States on Thursday. He chose the name Pope Leo XIV. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling his election. The bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang, and tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate. When Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, he smiled and waved. “Peace be with you,” he told the crowd.

Huge Celebration in St. Peter’s Square

The crowd cheered loudly, with excitement filling the air. Many people rushed to the square to see the new pope. The balcony was decorated with red curtains for his first address to the world.

Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Northern Ireland, expressed his amazement.“I’m not an overly religious person but, being here with all these people just blew me away,” he said.

The celebrations continued as people waved flags and shouted “Viva Il Papa!” In addition, one priest raised a Brazilian flag while sitting on someone’s shoulders.

Bruna Hodara, a 41-year-old from Brazil, excitedly shouted, “Habemus papam, woooo!” while recording the historic moment.

Pope Prevost Follows Pope Francis

Pope Prevost now succeeds Pope Francis, who died last month. After a 12-year papacy, Francis led the Church with a focus on compassion. However, his progressive approach angered many conservatives.

Now, Pope Leo XIV must face numerous challenges. Not only must he unite the Church, but he also needs to address global conflicts and the ongoing sexual abuse scandal.

The Secret Conclave and Voting

The cardinals, bound by secrecy, voted inside the Sistine Chapel. A total of 133 cardinals from five continents participated.

They began voting on Wednesday afternoon. At first, the smoke was black, showing no decision. However, by Thursday at 6:00 p.m., the smoke turned white, confirming that a new pope had been elected.

Though we do not know how many ballots it took, the process was quick. For comparison, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four ballots in 2005, and Pope Francis in five in 2013.

To win, a candidate needs two-thirds of the votes.

A Deeply Emotional Moment

After his election, Pope Leo XIV entered the Room of Tears, where newly elected popes often reflect on the weight of their responsibility. He then donned the papal cassock and returned to the cardinals.

A senior cardinal then declared, “Habemus Papam”—“We have a pope.” Following this, the new pope gave a brief speech and offered his first Urbi et Orbi blessing.

A Choice Between Pastor and Diplomat

The cardinals faced a tough decision. Should they choose a spiritual guide, a diplomat, or someone familiar with the Curia, the Church's governing body?

Some cardinals wanted a more conservative pope. Others favored someone like Francis, who championed causes such as the environment and migration.

Before the voting began, Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the conclave, urged the cardinals to choose wisely. He reminded them that the new pope must guide the Church through challenging times and global conflicts.

The New Pope Faces Challenges

As the new pope, Leo XIV faces a divided Church. For instance, the West is experiencing a decline in the number of priests and church attendance. Therefore, adapting to the modern world is crucial for the Church's future.

The papal inauguration mass will take place soon. Political and religious leaders from around the world will attend. The pope will likely take a tour of St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile before delivering a speech outlining his priorities.