BURST
A cardinal appeared at the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony about 7:15 Roman time to announce the newest Pope. It is the first American pope, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, of Chicago.
He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The last Pope Leo was elected in 1878 and served until his death in 1903.
He was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023. He was the former leader of the Augustinian order and also appointed by Francis to the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the selection of new bishops from around the world.
He has significant missionary experience in Peru, serving as bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo.
White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney about an hour prior to the announcement, alerting the crowd of faithful Catholics gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope.
The sign came on the second day of voting and the fourth vote. The Cardinals reached the two-third majority required to elevate one of their ranks to be head of the church.
The gathered crowd cheered in elation as the smoke rose on a beautiful Thursday evening in Rome. Flags from all over the world were evident among them, including Canada’s.
His papal name will be announced after a top cardinal utters the words “Habemus Papam!” — Latin for “We have a pope!” — from the St. Peter’s Basilica balcony. The cardinal will then read the new pope’s birth name in Latin and reveals the name he has chosen to be called.
The new Pope will then emerge on the balcony, announcing himself to the world and imparting a blessing.
For much of the past century, the conclave has needed between three and 14 ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days in 1978 — was elected on the fourth ballot. His successor, John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013.
More to come…
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