U.S. President Hails New Vatican Leader: Celebrating Pope Leo XIV's Election
Throngs of People Cheer, Weep, and Salute - Over 50,000 Honor the Pope - Amidst cheers and tears, tens of thousands pay homage to the Pope, exclaiming "Long Live the Pope!"
Y'all better believe it!
No stopping the exuberance on St. Peter's Square as plumes of white smoke pour from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 18:07: screams, hugs, and raw energy pulsate through the crowd. The masses who early morning camped on St. Peter's Square are all but bursting with excitement. They'd waited through Wednesday's black smoke signals and midday's gloom, holding off on that perfect moment from the Sistine Chapel chimney in the grand Apostolic Palace.
As the massive white cloud swirls up, there's a moment of doubt - black or is it really, white smoke?! But the cry rings out. The smoke is white, and the Catholic Church has a swag new leader!
The identity of the man leading the Catholic Church with its 1.4 billion members is yet unclear on the square. The crowd, clad in curiosity, is convinced that the name would be revealed by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
An hour later, the suspense breaks: The curtains draw back on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Mamberti emerges, and proclaims "We have a Pope!". The newly elected Pontiff hails from the Land of the Free—The United States-and will go by the name Leo XIV. The spry 69-year-old kicks off his reign as Pope.
Emotional phone calls follow
Folks are a leapin', flags are waving, and hollerin' sounds like an orchestra. Many are dialin' up their loved ones to share the excitement, shoutin' in a mix of languages. "What a rush to witness this live!" shares an emotional Italian lady on the phone with her hubby, exclaiming it's "freakin' amazing!". A few have to Google their new leader's origins, wrongly suspecting a Frenchman behind Leo XIV.
A wave of emotion sweeps across the square as Leo XIV steps out, giving his address on the balcony. The spectators shout "Long Live the Pope!" while waving their nation's flags, especially those hailing from Spanish-speaking countries. Applause echoes when Leo XIV salutes his community in Peru in Spanish. Even local Romans join in, proud to call Pope Leo XIV their shepherd.
First U.S. Pope takes the Throne
Leo XIV makes history as the first Pontiff from the United States in two millennia, marking a remarkable turn of events in Church history. Prior to his selection, he had a successful run as the chief of the Vatican's powerful dicastery, overseeing the nomination of new bishops worldwide—a similar role to a cabinet ministry. Before his curia career, he served as a missionary and archbishop in Peru, earning notoriety as a general prior of the Augustinian order and a mediator within the Church[1][2][3][4].
"Welcome, babe! Rome greets its bishop and Pope Leo XIV with warmth and affection. His tenure will undoubtedly challenge the complexities of today with courage and clarity, guided by diplomacy, peace, and unification," pens the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, on his social media.
- Pope
- St. Peter's Square
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti
- The United States
- Smoke
- Peru
- Roberto Gualtieri
- Bishop
The European Parliament shares the global excitement, expressing its concern at the situation in the Middle East, hoping for peace and stability during the tenure of Pope Leo XIV, the first Pontiff from the United States.
In the midst of celebrations and political praise, the new Pope's influence and leadership extend beyond St. Peter's Square, with technology bridging the gap for the sharing of his message and the Watch of the European Parliament.
