New Pope's name announced

New Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Vatican News

On May 8, 2025, the Vatican Conclave of Cardinals elected a new Pope. Around 19:10, white smoke appeared above the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the election of the Pontiff was complete and that his name would soon be announced.

At 20:00, the Vatican announced that the new Pope is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name Leo XIV. The event was broadcast live by Vatican Media Live.

The work of the Conclave began on May 7, around 17:30. The first vote was unsuccessful, with black smoke rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke appeared again after two more votes on May 8, around 10:00 and 16:00. Finally, the next vote was successful – 133 cardinals elected the new Pope.

Cardinal Prevost, a native of Chicago (USA), held the position of Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election. He became the first Pope from the United States in the history of the Church and the first Augustinian Pontiff since Gregory XVI, who reigned from 1831 to 1846.

From the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the Cardinal Protodeacon pronounced the traditional formula "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a Pope!") and announced the election of Monsignor Prevost. The newly elected Pontiff then appeared before the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square and gave his first apostolic blessing "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World").

Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago. He belongs to the Order of Saint Augustine. He led missionary work in Peru for many years, serving as the head of the Diocese of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. From January 2023, by the decision of Pope Francis, he led the Dicastery for Bishops – one of the key departments of the Roman Curia.

The election of an American of Peruvian descent as the head of the Catholic Church reflects a continuing trend towards the globalization of church leadership and recognition of the growing role of Catholics in North and South America in the life of the Universal Church.

Observers note that the new Pontiff is well acquainted with the challenges faced by the Church in developing countries due to his many years of missionary experience in Latin America, as well as his valuable administrative experience as the former Superior General of the Augustinian Order (2001–2013) and head of a major Vatican department.

The current Pope was made a cardinal quite recently – on February 6, 2025.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a conclave had begun in the Vatican to elect a new Pope. Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025.

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