Cardinals have selected Robert Francis as the new Pope that would head the Catholic church, and replace the late Pope Francis yesterday as announced by the Vatican.
White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel, on Thursday signalling that cardinals have chosen the 267th Pope on the second day of the conclave.
During the papal conclave, the cardinals were barred from leaving or having any contact with the outside world as they selected the next leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a 73-year-old Frenchman born in Morocco, who was expected to make the announcement of a new Pope said:
“I announce to you a great joy, We have a Pope. The most eminent and the reverend Robert Francis.”
The new Pope has taken the papal name “Pope Leo XIV”
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago now becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy.
Cardinal Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, has had a distinguished clerical career, including extensive missionary work in Peru and serving as Bishop of Chiclayo. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2023 by Pope Francis and held significant roles such as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
His election is seen as a continuation of the progressive path set by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV has expressed a desire to focus on unity and peace, with a particular emphasis on social justice and immigration rights. His choice of the name Leo XIV alludes to Pope Leo XIII, known for supporting workers’ rights, hinting at a socially engaged pontificate.
The formal announcement was made with the declaration “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”), followed by the pope’s first Apostolic Blessing, Urbi et Orbi, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. A ceremonial mass by the new pontiff is expected to follow within a week.
It is a great occasion for Catholics all over the world as a new spiritual head has been elected to continue the legacy of the church.
