• Trump lauds historic honour as uncertainty clouds future relations
• Ukrainian president hopes for papal support amid Russian aggression
• Nigerian priest highlights record global representation in conclave
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pontiff, emerged yesterday amid global jubilation, pledging to “build bridges with dialogue” in a world fraught with conflicts.
The first American to occupy the position, Pope Leo made his inaugural appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
At 69 years old, he assumes immediate leadership of the Vatican, guiding the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers worldwide.
The pope delivered his first public address and bestowed the “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) blessing before thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square.
“Peace be with all of you,” he proclaimed from the balcony in his first public words as Pontiff.
In his address, the pope paid tribute to his predecessor, Francis, stating his intention to emulate the late pontiff’s spirit by blessing the faithful just as Francis did during his final appearance in St Peter’s Square.
Speaking in Italian, Pope Leo reiterated his commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding.
He later switched to Spanish, reflecting on his extensive years as a missionary and his tenure as Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, where he worked closely with diverse communities.
It is unclear how the new pope will get on with the Donald Trump’s administration, although Trump has expressed delight over his emergence.
In February, he criticised U.S. Vice President J D Vance when Vance cited medieval Catholic theology to justify the immigration crackdown under President Trump.
Vance invoked a concept called ordo amoris, saying it was only right that people should prioritise their families, neighbours, and communities over “a stranger who lives thousands of miles away.”
However, Cardinal Prevost, as he was then, reacted by describing the view as wrong. He said, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
The emergence of white smoke from the chimney in the Vatican yesterday, which signifies the election of a new pope, ushered in Pope Leo. The new pope was selected even faster than his predecessor, Francis.
Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, the Chicago-born Pontiff said: “Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
Pope Leo thanked the cardinals who elected him during the two-day conclave. “We can all walk together towards that homeland God has prepared for us. A special greeting to the Church of Rome.”
He then switched to Spanish to thank his former diocese in Peru “where a loyal people have shared its faith and have given a lot.” After his speech, he prayed and read a religious passage in Latin, paying homage to the saints.
Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, speaking at the Vatican press office, said that the fact it took cardinals only four rounds of voting to pick a new pope, with white smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel chimney after a day’s voting, is “a clear sign of the unity of the Church.” A senior cardinal confirmed the decision with the words “Habemus Papam,” Latin for “we have a Pope,” and introduced the new pontiff by his chosen papal name.
There were cheering and celebration among the gathered crowds in the Vatican. Flags were waved, and people were seen embracing one another as the search for the next leader of the Catholic Church reached its conclusion.
The crowds chanted “viva papa,” which means “long live the Pope” in Italian. Music continued to play from the band that stood under the balcony in St Peter’s Square before people erupted into applause.
The number of people in St Peter’s Square was reported to be over 40,000, according to police.
While the world waited patiently for the newly elected Pope to be profiled, there was jubilation worldwide, especially among Roman Catholic faithful, following the successful electoral process that began on May 7.
Millions of people had converged on the Vatican on the first day of the conclave but were disappointed as black smoke, indicating that no pope was elected, rose from the chimney.
A repeated attempt on Thursday also failed, as black smoke emerged from the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 11:50, signalling the second ballot of the first full day of the conclave and the third overall since the process began.
Consequently, the cardinals took a break for lunch while the people in the square continued to look up at the chimney in anticipation.
Voting resumed at about 4:00 p.m. Vatican time, and in less than two hours, white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel, causing cheers from over 15,000 people who had gathered in St Peter’s S
The new Pope will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter. He will be the first American to fill the role of Pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America due to the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru before becoming an archbishop there.
As Bishop of Chicago, the 69-year-old oversaw the largest archdiocese in North America. He also served on the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, where nearly 40 per cent of the world’s Catholics reside. He led the recitation of the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis’ health in St Peter’s Square prior to his death.
Pope Leo was often described by Vatican insiders as the “dark horse” candidate who quietly rose to prominence in the days just before the conclave, having been made a cardinal-bishop in February this year.
Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the United States to serve as a pastor and priest in his home city. He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges within the local Church.
Donald Trump has congratulated the new Pope, describing his emergence as an “honour” for the country. He said:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope.
“It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a great honour for our country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped for the Pope’s “continued support” in his country’s fight against Russian aggression. The Ukrainian President said:
“Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.
“At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.
“I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration, and strength—both spiritual and physical—in carrying out his noble mission.”
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said he hoped newly elected Pope Leo XIV would contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights.
“May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world that needs hope and unity,”Mr Sanchez wrote on X.
The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, also congratulated the new Pope. In his statement, he said he sends his warmest wishes from the Holy City of Jerusalem, adding that he looks forward to enhancing the relationship between Israel and the Holy See, and strengthening the friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and around the world.
“May your papacy be one of building bridges and understanding between all faiths and peoples.
“May we see the immediate and safe return of the hostages still held in Gaza, and a new era of peace in our region and around the world,” he added.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who also attended Francis’ funeral, offered his “heartfelt congratulations” to the new Pope.
“This is a deeply moving moment for the community of the Catholic Church and for the whole world,” he said.
According to a Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Father Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos, more than 80 per cent of the cardinal electors (108 out of 135) were appointed by Pope Francis, reflecting his theological, pastoral, and global vision.
He explained that these holy men have been chosen not only for their orthodoxy but also for their emphasis on social justice, peripheries, and dialogue with other cultures and faiths.
Okhueleigbe noted that never before has a conclave brought together cardinals from 71 different countries, describing the development as a record in the Church’s history.
“The electors represented a radically globalised Church, with significant voting blocs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“This shift may propel the election of a pontiff from any part of the globe, just as it was for the election of Pope John Paul II of Poland and Francis of Argentina,” he said.
The Guardian
