The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost was announced as the choice to replace Pope Francis.
Bells at St. Peter’s Basilica rang and crowds cheered as the white smoke billowed from the chimney.
The new leader of the Catholic Church was chosen amid the third round of conclave voting.
This marks one of the shortest conclaves in history
A papal contributor to ABC, Father James Martin said he knows Pope Leo, formally Cardinal Robert Prevost, describing him as ‘very-down-to-earth’.
Martin told ABC News that the new Pontiff is a ‘very kind person, very reserved’.
Martin previously said days before the conclave’s started that the American Cardinal was a front-runner for the papacy.
Pope Leo VIV has addressed thousands of people gathered in Vatican Square for the first time as pontiff.
The new Pope took a moment to take in the crowd after stepping onto the center balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his remarks.
‘Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you’, the Pontiff said in Italian. ‘This is the peace of the risen Christ’.
He asked the crowd to pray for the late Pope Francis and expressed gratitude to his predecessor — encouraging followers to continue Francis’ mission ‘for building bridges.
‘We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open, like this very piazza, welcoming’.
The new Pope also thanked the Cardinals who elected him as Francis’ successor before reciting the “Hail Mary” prayer.
‘It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment’! he said.
Cardinal Robert Prevost selected the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
John, the most popular name selected among Cardinals, has been used 23 times. Gregory has been used 16 times, and Benedict has been chosen 16 times.
The only name that is not allowed to be used is Peter, which is an unwritten rule in the Catholic Church, paying respect to the first pope, Saint Peter.
