White smoke blew out of the Sistine Chapel Thursday, May 8 at 6:07 p.m. local time (Vatican City), marking the decision of the new Pope of the Catholic Church since Pope Francis’s death April 21.
133 red-robed Cardinals from around the world gathered throughout the 16 day period after Francis’s death. After a two day conclave, they officially announced Cardinal Robert Prevost, going by the name Leo XIV as the leader of the Catholic Church. Prevost is the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000 year history. Surprising lots of people and students such as sophomore Ellie Landron whose first reaction was, “Wow, he’s American,” she said.
Before his commencement as pope, he was brought to the Vatican in 2023 by Pope Francis to check bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. While performing his duties to the Vatican, he served as a missionary in Peru where he became a naturalized citizen.
His first words to the people of the Catholic Church were as follows: “Peace be with you all. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts to reach your families to all people everywhere to all the earth: peace be with you,” Prevost said.
Pope Prevost makes his first appearance to the public. (Photo/Associated Press)
