VATICAN CITY: USA Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday (May 8) and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV a senior cardinal announced to crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St Peter’s rang out, signalling that cardinals had elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis and take charge of the Roman Catholic Church.
The election came on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican’s medieval walls on Wednesday afternoon.
A joyous crowd in St Peter’s Square cheered and applauded as the first puffs of smoke emerged from a small chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals have been holding their secret ballot.
The new pontiff Pope Leo XIV will then step forward to deliver his first public address and blessing to the gathered crowds.
Pope Francis died on Apr 21 after ruling the 1.4-billion member Church for 12 years. During his reign, he sought to open up the staid institution to the modern world, enacting a range of reforms and allowing debate on divisive issues such as women’s ordination and better inclusion of LGBT Catholics.
Source: CNA
