New pope is revealed: The 267th pontiff is named as cardinal announces ‘Habemus Papam!’ in front of thousands of cheering Catholics
Robert Prevost has been named as the new Pope and will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel.
The pontiff, who will be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the globe and history’s first American pope.
His name was announced after cardinal Mamberti uttered the words ‘Habemus papam!’ Latin for ‘We have a pope!’ from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Chants of ‘Leon, Leon’ ran through the crowd who still appeared to be shocked with many mouthing ‘An American?’.
In his first words, Pope Leo told crowds ‘Peace be with you’, offering a message of peace and dialogue ‘without fear.’
From the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff recalled he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian above all and a bishop, ‘So we can all walk together.’
He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the ‘least American of the Americans’ and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis.
He has worked for many years in Peru and was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same sex unions noticeably quiet.
Pope Leo’s appointment was revealed just after 5pm UK time on Thursday when white smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel, confirming the news to the world.
Robert Prevost who has been named as the new Pope
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica after his election
A woman prays as Pope Leo is announced at the Vatican
White smoke has finally risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel – indicating that cardinals have elected a new pope on the second and final day of conclave
White smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected at the Vatican
People react as white smoke (unseen) signals that cardinals elected a new pope
Prelates celebrate on St Peter’s Square as cardinals signaled they elected a new pope during their conclave
Chants of ‘Abbiamo Papa, ole, ole,ole’ and ‘Viva il Papa’ could be heard from the thousands that had rushed towards the square and the flags of dozens of countries were being waved in front of stunningly sunlit St Peter’s Basilica
People react as white smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel
People waiting in the crowd hug after seeing the white smoke
Cheers erupted in St Peter’s Square
Faithful react to the white smoke
A nun reacts as white smoke (unseen) signals that cardinals elected a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican on May 8
The 133 cardinal-electors entered the Sistine Chapel in solemn procession yesterday to start the conclave
Chants of ‘Abbiamo Papa, ole, ole,ole’ and ‘Viva il Papa’ could be heard from the thousands that had rushed towards the square and the flags of dozens of countries were being waved in front of stunningly sunlit St Peter’s Basilica.
Older cardinals who didn’t participate in the conclave rushed out to the square and lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems.
Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O’Malley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn’t vote.
A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function.
Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries-old ritual to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month.
Last night’s first round of voting prompted groans around the square after black smoke was seen rising from the chimney, indicating no result had been reached.
Black smoke was also seen this morning, showing the second round had, equally, not yielded a result.
Swis guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave
Swiss guards gather after white smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel
Swiss Guards and music band enter the parvis of St Peter’s basilica before the first appearance of the new Pope, after the cardinals ended the conclave
Swiss Guards take position on the parvis of St Peter’s basilica before the first appearance of the new Pope
Cheering crowds were seen waiting outside in St Peter’s Square as they waited to discover who has been elected as the next pontiff
Tens of thousands of faithful patiently waited for the result
Spectators have waited hours in St Peter’s Square in hope of a result
Nuns walk near Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the second day of the conclave to elect the new pope
Thousands of worshippers packed into St Peter’s Square to watch the action unfold on giant screens
People at St. Peter’s square waited to see smoke pour from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel
Nuns pray on St Peter’s Square on the second day of the conclave
Nuns run to get a position, as the gates open giving access for the public to the front of St. Peter’s Basilica
Statues of St Peter’s basilica on the second day of the conclave, in The Vatican
Up to four votes a day can take place from then, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, with white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen.
It was unlikely that the cardinals would come to a consensus with the first few votes, given that previous elections have taken a number of days.
The longest conclave in history was almost three years, when Pope Gregory X was elected. The shortest lasted just 10 hours and ended with the election of Pope Julius II in 1503.
In recent history the next leader of the Catholic Church has usually been elected within two or three days.
But the outcome this time round was reached within 24 hours, indicating that many cardinals united around a clear favourite.
The first two or three rounds of voting are generally seen as a ‘jockeying’ for position, and it is usually not until later rounds that a winner comes forward.
Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and therefore eligible to vote in the conclave.
16 are based in North America, 54 in Europe, 24 in Asia, 4 in Central America, 18 in South America and 4 in Oceania.
To emerge as the next pontiff, one man needs to secure a two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots.
The frontrunner was thought to be Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, who would have been the first Asian pope.
Pietro Parolin, the current secretary of state for the Vatican, was also considered to be a leading candidate.
