Cardinal Robert Francis emerges new Catholic pope
Robert Francis emerged as the new Catholic pontiff on Thursday, the second day of the conclave.
He took the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American to be the Catholic pope.
Pope Leo XIV’s emergence was signalled by white smoke pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Thursday evening.
“This is the first greeting of the resurrected Christ, the good shepherd who has given up his life for God,” Pope Leo XIV said in his first address. “And I should also like this greeting of peace to enter our hearts and our families.”
The new pontiff paid tribute to his late predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday.
Pope Leo XIV polled the required two-thirds majority of votes in the election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday, featuring 133 cardinals from across the globe as electors. This followed the burial of Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who passed on Easter Monday aged 88.
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