By: Augusto Urbano II
Photo Courtesy: Reuters
The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out and white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney today, signaling the successful election of a new Supreme Pontiff. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost OSA has been elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and will take the papal name Leo XIV.
The announcement was made to thousands of faithful and tourists gathered in St. Peter’s Square, eagerly awaiting the words “Habemus Papam” ("We have a Pope"). H.E. Dominique Cardinal Mamberti, the cardinal protodeacon, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to make the declaration.
Moments later, Pope Leo XIV, dressed in the traditional white cassock, rochet, a stole, and red mozzetta stepped forward to address the crowd, “Peace be with all of you”
Born in Chicago on September 14, 1955, the new Pope was the Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in Peru. He also served as the Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, and held the position of Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. He is the first American Pope of the Roman Catholic Church
This election follows the death of Pope Francis last April 21, whose papacy was marked by a strong emphasis on humility, poverty, and social justice. The conclave, which began 2 days ago, included 133 cardinal electors from across the world and concluded after three ballots.
As he begins his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is expected to focus on issues such as the challenge of uniting a globally diverse and ideologically divided Church amid declining faith in the West and growing secularism. He must continue addressing the clergy abuse crisis with transparency while navigating sensitive reforms around women’s roles, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and Church governance. At the same time, he will need to uphold moral leadership on global issues like climate change, migration, and digital ethics, especially as the Church expands rapidly in the Global South.