WE HAVE A POPE!
Shortly after 6:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. ET) on Thursday, May 8, white smoke unfurled from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling to the faithful and the world that a new Bishop of Rome, the 266th successor of Peter, had been elected.
A roar erupted from the crowd and in parishes across the globe when they saw the white smoke, which was shown on several large screens in St. Peter’s Square. At the same time, the enormous bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began to ring, tolling the news that the Catholic Church has a new pope. The crowd in St. Peter’s Square continued to build as many carried their countries’ flags.
A little over an hour after the white smoke appeared, our new Pope was introduced to the world. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian, became the first Pope from the United States – taking the name Leo XIV.
Replay the Moment it Happened!
Additional Resources
Vatican News Website (discover important news from the Vatican)
Official English translation of Pope Leo XIV’s speech from St. Peter’s Square
Bishop Walkowiak’s Statement on the election of Pope Leo XIV
What do we know about Pope Leo XIV?
- First Augustinian Pope and second Pontiff from the Americas, after Pope Francis.
- Born September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois; of French, Italian, and Spanish descent.
- Joined the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977; ordained a priest in 1982 in Rome.
- Spent over a decade as a missionary in Peru, serving in various pastoral and academic roles.
- Elected Prior General of the Augustinians in 2001 and re-elected in 2007.
- Appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2015; also served as Apostolic Administrator of Callao.
- Became Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023 and was created Cardinal in 2024.
- Elevated to the Order of Bishops in 2025 with the title of Suburbicarian Church of Albano.
- Active participant in Synods, Apostolic Journeys, and multiple Vatican Dicasteries.
For a full biography on our new Holy Father, please visit the Vatican News website.