On Thursday 8th May, after just two days of voting in the conclave, white smoke appeared from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel and the bells were rung, signalling to the thousands of people gathered in the square below that a new pope had been elected.
Just before 6.20pm, it was announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter and that he would be taking the name ‘Pope Leo XIV’.
He is the first pope from North America and the first pope who is a member of the Augustinian religious order.
He has chosen the name Leo. The last pope with this name was Pope Leo XIII, over one hundred years ago, whose work was the basis for Catholic Social Teaching.
As we celebrate this Year of Jubilee when we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, we give thanks that Pope Leo will continue to speak up for those who are poor or marginalised in our world.
In his first speech, Pope Leo said, ‘We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges.’
You can read the first address and Biography from Pope Leo XIV below
