New Pope Leo XIV Announced: See Photos!

Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, has been elected as the new Pope, succeeding Pope Francis. The announcement came Thursday evening following a two-day papal conclave involving 133 cardinals – a tradition stretching back centuries. White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled the successful vote, a stark contrast to the black smoke that appeared the previous day, indicating initial deadlock. Cardinal Dominique François Joseph Mamberti then appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square to proclaim the election of Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV. This historic decision marks the first time an American has ascended to the papacy in the history of the Catholic Church. The news was met with enthusiastic cheers from the gathered crowds at the Vatican. The selection of an American Pope is a significant development, potentially reshaping the Church’s outreach and influence, particularly within the United States. While the impact remains to be seen, this choice signals a possible shift in focus for the Catholic Church, and it will be fascinating to observe how Pope Leo XIV navigates the challenges and opportunities facing the global Catholic community. A selection of photographs capturing the joyous celebration following the announcement has been compiled by TIME’s photo editors.