White smoke rose above the Vatican on Thursday evening, signaling the election of a new pope. After days of deliberation in the Sistine Chapel, the College of Cardinals chose Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old American, as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Stepping onto St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, he greeted the cheering crowds and announced his papal name: Leo XIV, reviving a title unused for over a century.
Catholics worldwide celebrated the choice, viewing it as a moment of renewal and unity, while others expressed caution about his future direction. Social media filled with prayers and praise for his reputation as a thoughtful, reform-minded leader. Despite differing opinions, Pope Leo XIV’s election marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Vatican and global Catholicism.
