Live Updates | There is a New Pope!

Pope Leo XIV waves to the masses below in St. Peter's Square

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump wrote.

“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

“We have to seek together to be a missionary church. A church that builds bridges and dialogue,” he said in his remarks on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica today.

The new pope also called on people to “show our charity” to others “and be in dialog with love,” according to an English translation.

Pope Leo XIV acknowledges the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Thursday

Cardinal Robert Prevost, as he was known until this past hour, worked for a decade in Trujillo, Peru, and served as bishop of Chiclayo, another Peruvian city, from 2014 to 2023.

“To my dearest beloved diocese in Peru, where a faithful people accompanied their bishop to share their faith with him, and who have done so much to be a faithful church,” he said.

Leo XIV called on the Catholic church to be a “synodal” church, “one which goes forward and which always seeks peace and to be close to those who suffer.”

Newly elected Pope Leone XIV speaks to the crowd at St. Peter's Square.

“Let us keep in our ears the weak voice of Pope Francis that blesses Rome. The Pope who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the entire world that morning of Easter," he said.

"Allow me to follow up on that blessing. God loves us. God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail,” he said in Italian while addressing the crowd gathered at the Vatican."

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

“This is the first greetings of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for God,” he said, explaining the choice of his greeting. “And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families.”

Leo XIV looked visibly emotional as he waved to the adoring crowd in the square below the balcony.

On May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church made history by electing Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.

This marks the first time an American-born cardinal has ascended to the papacy. Born in Chicago, Prevost is recognized for his extensive international experience, particularly in Peru, and his administrative role as head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Bishops.

Fluent in Spanish and Italian, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2023

Pope Francis

The Nile Post reporter and editor Kenny Kazibwe admits he has not been closely following the activities of the Pope but "I hope the new one can follow in the footsteps of his predecessor" in trying to ensure equality between the rich and the poor.

"As a figure respected world over, I pray the new Pope preaches peace in the world. He also ought to preach good governance, especially to African leaders," Kazibwe says.

Pope Francis surely left big impressions on the world!

Pope Francis always showed deep compassion for the elderly

Next Media senior reporter Henry Mugenyi says the new pope will step into a world hungry for compassion, clarity, and moral courage.

"He’ll be measured against Pope Francis, who opened doors to dialogue welcoming sinners with grace and softening the Church's stance on inclusion," Mugenyi says.

"Really Building on that legacy, the new pontiff should deepen the Church’s relevance in modern society."

The identity of the new Pope will be revealed shortly

United States President Donald Trump took the stage at a White House event today shortly after white smoke out started streaming out of the Vatican chimney, a sign that the college of cardinals has selected a new pope.

“I saw the smoke, but I haven’t seen the pope,” Trump told reporters in the White House East Room.

Trump drew criticism after the White House account tweeted an AI-generated image of him dressed as a pope ahead of the papal conclave this week.

| via CNN

As soon as the news of the white smoke spread through the Italian capital, some people began running through the streets of Rome to get to St. Peter’s Square. People continue to stream into the square from every alley that leads to the Vatican.

In the square itself, people are hugging and crying tears of joy.

While earlier the crowd was angling to get a good view of the Sistine Chapel chimney, they are now inching closer to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica where the new pope is expected to emerge any moment.

| Via CNN

The world’s eyes are fixed on a single balcony—the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

This is where the newly elected pope will step out for the first time, introduced with the words “Habemus Papam”—“We have a pope.”

The balcony overlooks St Peter’s Square, where thousands of faithful and onlookers are waiting, many holding umbrellas or rosaries, eyes lifted in quiet anticipation.

Behind the red velvet drapes, the pope-elect is being robed in papal white and praying briefly in the Pauline Chapel.

Vatican officials have begun positioning themselves along the balustrade, a sign that the announcement is drawing near.

This is one of the most iconic stages in global religious history—used only when a new leader of the Catholic Church is about to be revealed.

As the bells toll and the Swiss Guards assemble below, the sense of history hangs in the Roman air.

Soon, the curtains will part. A cardinal will appear and deliver the formula that marks the beginning of a new papacy.

A new pope has been chosen by the electing cardinals, and events are now unfolding quickly at the Vatican.

With white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, the new pontiff is expected to appear on the balcony overlooking St Peter's Square within the hour. He is currently in a small chamber near the chapel, where he is changing into the traditional white papal robes.

Soon, the senior cardinal will step forward to formally announce the election with the traditional words "Habemus Papam," Latin for "we have a Pope," followed by the name the new pope has chosen for his papacy.

White smoke has appeared above the Sistine Chapel, signalling that the College of Cardinals has successfully elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis.

The identity of the new pontiff remains unknown for now, but tradition holds that he will be introduced from the chapel’s balcony shortly, likely within the hour.

The world now watches as the Vatican prepares to announce the name of the next pope, and we will provide updates as soon as the new leader of the Catholic Church is revealed.