Vatican City – The Roman Catholic Church has a new leader. White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney earlier today, signaling that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope following the death of Pope Francis in April.
Shortly after, Cardinal Protodeacon made the historic declaration from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus papam: Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Robertus Franciscum Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Prevost, qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV.”
In English, this translates to: “I announce to you a great joy; we have a pope: The most eminent and most reverend Lord, Robert Francis Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost, who has taken the name Leo the Fourteenth.”
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, aged sixty-nine, is an American Augustinian friar. His election came after several days of deliberations by one hundred and thirty-three cardinals during a secret conclave held within the Vatican.
According to Church tradition, the appearance of white smoke—fumata bianca—signals that the required two-thirds majority has been reached. In addition to the smoke, bells rang out from St. Peter’s Basilica, confirming the successful election.
The announcement of a new pope, known as “Habemus papam” (“We have a pope”), has been a deeply symbolic tradition since 1417. It is typically followed by the pope’s first Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) blessing to the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square and watching around the globe.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to step forward soon to greet the world and offer his first official blessing, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Roman Catholic Church.
Would you like a summary of Pope Leo XIV’s background or his priorities as pope?
