Pope Leo XIV live: New American pontiff Robert Prevost to hold first Mass amid claims he’s ‘anti-Trump’
Pope Leo XIV is preparing to celebrate his first Mass as the leader of the Catholic Church as congratulatory messages poured in for making history as the first American-born pontiff.
The 69-year-old former Robert Prevost was chosen to be the 267th pope by the Conclave on Thursday after more than two-thirds of the cardinals voted for him to succeed the late Pope Francis.
Pope Leo will hold the Mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at 11am (8am British time) on Friday, during which he will deliver his first homily as Pope.
The pope prayed for peace in his first official remarks, but his words come against a backdrop of deadly wars, a long shadow of abuse within the church he now leads, and chaos and division at home under the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump celebrated the Chicago-born cardinal's papacy as a “great honour for our country,” while world leaders also reacted to the “historic day.”
However, the right-wing media figures and MAGA provocateurs decried his election after it was revealed that he had publicly criticised vice president JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd.
Key Points
Pope to hold first Mass as the new Catholic leader
Robert Prevost is the new Pope
Who is the American cardinal named Pope Leo XIV?
Trump and world leaders react on 'historic' day
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
Senior cardinal welcomes Leo XIV as 'Pope of great spirituality'
08:31 , Rachel Clun
The dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re has welcomed the new Pope.
"Leo XIV is a Pope of great spirituality. He will strengthen faith in God in this secularised world,” Re told Italian media.
The 91-year-old cardinal was too old to participate in the conclave, but he led the special pre-conclave Mass and also led the funeral for Pope Francis.
The conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV was short, but it wasn’t the shortest ever
08:12 , Rachel Clun
The two-day election of Pope Leo XIV was a short conclave.
But it’s not out of line with other recent papal elections. Read more about that history here:
The conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV was short, but it wasn’t the shortest ever
Filipinos welcome the first-ever American pontiff
07:54
The Philippines' president has congratulated Pope Leo on his election.
The Philippines is the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia and there were hopes the late Pope Francis would be succeeded by a prominent Filipino Cardinal, Luis Antonio Tagle, from the laidback city of Imus just south of Manila.
Still, Leo's election was welcomed and Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he prays that the new pope would "continue to bring the church closer to the poor and disadvantaged."
"I wanted the candidate from the Philippines — but let's accept this choice because this was God's plan," Alexandra Bonilla, a 20-year-old student, said at a cathedral in Imus.
Brother describes moment pope's name was announced: 'Niece began screaming'
07:35 , Shweta Sharma
When white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel revealing that a new pope had been chosen, John Prevost turned on his television in Illinois, called the new pope’s niece and they watched in awe as his brother's name was announced.
"She started screaming because it was her uncle and I was in the moment of disbelief that this cannot be possible because it's too far from what we thought would happen," Mr Prevost said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press from his home in New Lenox, Illinois.
Next, he said he felt an intense sense of pride that his brother, Cardinal Robert Prevost, had become the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church, making the Chicago-born missionary the first US pope.
"It's quite an honour; it's quite a once in a lifetime," he said. "But I think it's quite a responsibility and I think it's going to lead to bigger and better things, but I think people are going to watch him very closely to see what he's doing."
John Prevost described his brother as being very concerned for the poor and those who don't have a voice.
He said he expects him to be a "second Pope Francis."
"He's not going to be real far left and he's not going to be real far right," he added. "Kind of right down the middle."
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
07:30 , Rhian Lubin
It didn’t take long for right-wing media figures and MAGA provocateurs to cry out in rage over the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV after it was revealed that he’d publicly criticized Vice President JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd.
Despite feeling national pride over the fact that the Chicago-born Prevost has become the first American pope in history, conservative pundits and Trump loyalists fumed over the “WOKE MARXIST POPE” and complained that he is “worse than Francis,” referencing the previous pontiff known for his progressive values.
Even before the “dark horse” American cardinal was elected the 267th pope, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon warned about Prevost’s views, claiming that he would be a poor choice for the MAGA movement.
Justin Baragona reports.
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
Pope’s brother says LeoXIV played wordle and watched Conclave to learn to ‘behave’
07:21 , Shweta Sharma
Older brother John Prevos has said he often played wordle with his brother Robert Prevost and asked him to watch “Conclave”.
In an interview with NBC, the elder brother of the newly elected pope said he asked if his brother had watched the movie "Conclave" before the start of the papal conclave so he would "know how to behave”.
He said he spoke to his brother right before the Conclave.
"So he knew how to behave. So it's that kind of stuff, because I wanted to take his mind off of it, laugh about something, because this is now an awesome responsibility," Mr Prevost said.
He added that the two often played games such as Wordle and Words with Friends together.
"It's something to keep his mind off of life in the real world," he said.
The youngest of three brothers, Pope Leo was usually the one who gave advice to his brothers.
"Be yourself, because then he's got it made," he said, giving advice to his brother on his papcy.
Pope Leo XIV’s first speech in full as new pontiff declares ‘evil will not prevail’
07:03 , Shweta Sharma
In his first speech from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV spoke warmly about late Pope Francis and thanked the cardinals who had elected him after two days of voting.
Pope Leo XIV spoke in Italian and Spanish throughout his speech. The following is the full first translated speech of Pope Leo XIV:
‘Evil will not prevail’ - Pope Leo XIV’s first speech in full
Pope to hold first Mass as the new Catholic leader
06:49 , Shweta Sharma
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Mass as the leader of the Catholic Church after making history as the first American-born pontiff.
Pope Leo will hold the Mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at 11am (0900 GMT) Friday, during which he will deliver his first homily as pope and will be broadcast live.
He will deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St Peter's and attend an audience with the media Monday in the Vatican auditorium, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
Watch: Cardinals celebrated Pope Leo XIV being chosen in rare Conclave video
06:30 , Rhian Lubin
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
06:04 , Shweta Sharma
It didn’t take long for right-wing media figures and MAGA provocateurs to cry out in rage over the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV after it was revealed that he’d publicly criticized Vice President JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd.
Despite feeling national pride over the fact that the Chicago-born Prevost has become the first American pope in history, conservative pundits and Trump loyalists fumed over the “WOKE MARXIST POPE” and complained that he is “worse than Francis,” referencing the previous pontiff known for his progressive values.
Even before the “dark horse” American cardinal was elected the 267th pope, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon warned about Prevost’s views, claiming that he would be a poor choice for the MAGA movement.
Justin Baragona reports.
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
China's Catholic organisation congratulates Pope Leo
05:58 , Shweta Sharma
The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops' Conference of Catholic Church in China congratulated newly elected Pope Leo XIV on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
China has an estimated 12 million Catholics and his predecessor had put greater focus on building ties with China and Chinese-speaking Catholics across Asia.
His funeral sermon concluded with a prayer in Mandarin, the only prayer offered in an Asian language.
The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and the Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church in China (BCCCC) have a fraught history with the Holy See due to their autonomy from papal authority.
However, the 2018 Sino-Vatican agreement marked a partial thaw, granting the Pope the right to veto bishop candidates proposed by Chinese authorities. Still, tensions persist: in 2023, China unilaterally appointed Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to the Shanghai diocese, bypassing Vatican approval.
Watch how cardinals celebrated Pope Leo XIV being chosen in rare Conclave video
05:45 , Shweta Sharma
Rare footage from inside the Conclave to select the new Pope shows cardinals applauding Leo XIV as he left the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, 8 May.
Recap: Who is Robert Prevost? 'Dark horse' who is first American pope
05:30 , Rhian Lubin
American Robert Prevost has become the 267th pope, succeeding the late Francis as Leo XIV.
After the death of Argentine Pope Francis, many observers believed the cardinals would elect a European successor.
But cardinals voting in the conclave at the Vatican decided to go back to the Americas, with the 69-year-old Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishop from Chicago, the largest Archdiocese in North America.
Read on...
Chicago-born Robert Prevost appointed 267th Pope
Pope Leo XIV thought there was 'no way' he would be pope - brother
05:30 , Rhian Lubin
Pope Leo XIV told his brother that there was “no way” he would be elected pontiff in the days before the Conclave.
“Last Saturday when I was at church, one of the priests came over and told me the odds in Las Vegas were 18 to 1,” John Prevost told The New York Times. “He didn’t have a doubt. He thought it would definitely be my brother.”
But Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, was almost certain that wouldn’t be the case when his brother called him that night.
“He said, ‘No way, not going to happen,’” Prevost told the newspaper.
The brothers are close – they usually talk every night on the phone and last August, Leo stayed with Prevost at his Illinois home for a few weeks.
Prevost said that his brother is likely to follow in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, and said they were “two of a kind.”
Leo will be “looking out for the disenfranchised, he will be looking out for the poor, he will be looking out for those who don’t have a voice.”
Prevost was pictured outside his home Thursday holding a portrait of the three brothers as boys while he answered reporters’ questions.
Australian Catholics welcome 'humble, gentle' Pope Leo XIV
05:15 , Shweta Sharma
Australian Catholics and politicians have welcomed the new Pope Leo XIV, hoping he would continue to support peace and social justice like his predecessor.
Brother Mark O’Connor, head of communications for the Catholic archdiocese of Parramatta, said he had the opportunity to meet the new pope and described him as a “humble, gentle leader”.
“He’s not different from Pope Francis in terms of vision, but maybe in style,” he said. “He’s more low key.”
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, extended his wishes to the pope on behalf of the Roman Catholic church in Australia.
“The Catholic Church in Australia assures Pope Leo XIV of our prayers, loyalty, and joyful anticipation of his spiritual leadership,” he said.
“May his pontificate be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message throughout the world.”
Prime minister Anthony Albanese also sent his heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV.
He invited him to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Sydney 2028.
“This is a moment of joy and hope for Catholics all over the world,” the prime minister said. “May God bless Pope Leo XIV and may his papacy advance the cause of peace and justice, in the service of all humanity.”
Why did Pope Robert Prevost choose the name Leo XIV?
04:46 , Shweta Sharma
Cardinal Robert Prevost chose Pope Leo XIV as his papal name after he was elected as the leader of the Catholic Church.
There are no set written rules or official criteria for choosing a pope's name. But new popes choose names that have meaning in the Catholic tradition.
Shortly after the announcement of the new Pope, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, addressed journalists at a conference in the Holy See Press Office.
Mr Bruni confirmed that the decision to be called Leo XIV was a clear and deliberate reference to Pope Leo XIII, author of the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum.
That document marked the beginning of the Church’s modern social doctrine.
“In this context,” Mr Bruni said, “it is clearly a reference to the lives of men and women, to their work - even in an age marked by artificial intelligence.”
Taiwan congratulates Pope Leo XIV and hopes for deeper ties
04:30 , Shweta Sharma
Taiwan president Lai Ching-te has sent his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his appointment, saying Taiwan hopes to continue working with the Vatican to pursue peace, justice and religious freedom, the island's foreign ministry said on Friday.
The Vatican is one of only 12 countries to retain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, whichis claimed by China, though Mr Lai did not attend Pope Francis' funeral last month, sending instead former vice president Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic.
Francis had led a wide-ranging outreach to officially atheist China, including signing a deal on the appointment of Catholic bishops in that country, worrying Taiwan.
In his message, Mr Lai "stressed that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work with the Holy See to jointly pursue peace, justice, religious freedom, solidarity, fraternity, and human dignity", the statement said.
"Taiwan will continue to promote various exchanges and co-operation with the Holy See, to further strengthen bilateral relations, and to make more contributions to the world together with the Holy See," said the ministry statement.
The ministry did not say whether Mr Lai might attend Leo's inauguration.
China has yet to comment on the U.S.-born Leo's appointment.
Taiwan's embassy to the Vatican on Friday posted a picture of its outgoing ambassador, Matthew Lee, shaking hands with Leo at a Vatican event in 2023.
Mr Lee told Taiwan's official Central News Agency that when he told Pope Leo, whose real name is Robert Prevost, that he was from Taiwan, Pope Leo's response was that he was able to distinguish the difference between "democratic Taiwan and communist China".
Chicagoans celebrate Pope Leo XIV
04:20 , AP
Students in every classroom at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago had their eyes glued to TV screens.
As the image of the new pope, Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost, appeared onscreen, cheers erupted through the hallways.
Children jumped out of their seats, pumping their hands in the air.
“Our students are just beside themselves,” said Mary Perrotti, director of advancement at the school. “They're beyond excited and can't believe a Chicagoan is their new pope. They were in awe.”
Raul Raymundo, co-founder of a local community advocacy group called the Resurrection Project, said Thursday was a proud day for Chicagoans and he hoped Pope Leo XIV will “continue Pope Francis' legacy and Chicago's legacy of social justice and compassion, especially in welcoming immigrants.”
“There's tears of joy, of hope, of motivation to rise to this moment and leave this world better than we found it,” said Raymundo, an immigrant from Mexico who grew up in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.
Pictured: Childhood home of Pope Leo XIV and now-derelict school
04:00 , Rhian Lubin
Pictures show the childhood home and former school of Pope Leo XIV in Chicago.
The modest family home where the pope, formerly Robert Prevost, grew up is in Dolton, Illinois.
Photographs also show the St. Mary of the Assumption Church and School where he attended, which is now derelict.
Pictured: Young Robert Prevost meeting with late former popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II
03:40 , Rhian Lubin
Pope Leo XIV is pictured meeting with the late former popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II in undated photographs obtained by Reuters news agency.
Another black and white photograph shared by the agency shows a young Robert Prevost in another undated snap.
Steve Bannon predicted Prevost could be elected
03:20 , Rhian Lubin
Steve Bannon predicted last week that Robert Prevost could be elected pope – much to his dismay.
“I do think one of the dark horses — and unfortunately one of the most progressive — is Cardinal Prevost... he's certainly on the shortlist,” Bannon, who is Catholic, told Piers Morgan about the prospect of the first American pope.
“I think it’s pretty shocking given the contempt they hold the American church,” he said. “The American church gives so much money, they’re afraid it has too much power. So they’ve never really wanted to have an American pope.”
Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist during his first administration, likened Prevost to Francis “ideologically,” and for years attacked the late pope.
Social media users welcome the Chicago-born head of the Catholic Church
03:00 , Rhian Lubin
The new pope isn’t just from America, he’s from Chicago — a fact that social media users are eating up like it's deep-dish pizza.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, making him the first American to ever be elected by the conclave in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history.
Outside the Sistine Chapel, cheers erupted in the packed Vatican City, where many awaited who would be named as Pope Francis. Online, social media users flooded the internet with memes and jokes about the city he’s from, including its signature deep dish pizza, its beloved but often disappointing sports teams, and all things Chicago.
Everyone seems to be more than happy to lean into his Chicago roots...
Kelly Rissman has the details.
Social media users welcome the Chicago-born new pope
Exclusive details: Former protégé describes the American set to lead the Catholic Church
02:40 , Rhian Lubin
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV – Chicago-born Robert Prevost, a member of the Augustinian religious order who spent much of his life ministering to Catholics in Peru – is “a true servant of God,” who lives his life according to St. Augustine’s “core values of truth, unity, and love,” a former protégé who has known him for decades told The Independent.
In a phone interview on Thursday, Fr. Rob Hagan, who was mentored in his earlier years by Prevost, said that he always referred to the 69-year-old Pope as “Bob.”
Now, he said, “referring to him as Pope Leo XIV is just an honor.”
Justin Rohrlich reports.
A ‘twinkle in his eye’: Former protégé describes American set to lead Catholic Church
Empire State Building lights up gold and white in honor of Pope Leo XIV
02:20 , Rhian Lubin
The Empire State Building is lit up gold and white tonight in honor of Pope Leo XIV.
'Even as a young teenager, he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go'
02:00 , Rhian Lubin
Former classmates of Robert Prevost shared how, even as a boy, he was “destined” to become Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost grew up in the city’s south suburb, where he lived in Dolton with his parents and two brothers.
Growing up, the youngster reportedly had a positive experience of parish life, serving as an altar boy and attending school in the St. Mary of the Assumption parish on the far South Side.
“It was pretty apparent back then that was going to be his route,” former classmate John Doughney told the Chicago Sun-Times, speaking before Prevost was elected.
“For him, I think it was a true calling,” Doughney said. “And, even as a young teenager, he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go.”
Others recalled a “sense of humor” in class.
“He was kind of a little trickster, too,” Joseph Merigold, who used to sit near Prevost in class, said. “Used to poke me in the back of the head with a pencil all the time because I was a kidder. So he definitely had a sense of humor that a lot of people wouldn’t know because he wasn’t really that outgoing.”
Merigold said Prevost was “the smartest person in the class.”
Prevost was also remembered as a good singer from the choir who “cared about people” and “looked for the good in things,” according to Marianne Angarola, who also grew up in Dolton and went to school with him.
“He was the pride and joy of every priest and nun in that school,” Angarola told The Chicago Tribune. “Everybody knew he was special.”
Macron hails 'historic moment for Catholic Church'
01:40 , Oliver O'Connell
French President Emmanuel Macron called the election of the new pope a “historic moment” for the church, hoping that his time leading the world’s Catholics would be one of “peace and hope.”
When will Pope Leo XIV deliver his first service?
01:20 , Rhian Lubin
According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate his first Mass as pontiff on Friday, kicking off a busy few days.
Here is his schedule:
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass on Friday at 11 a.m. with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
He plans to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
And he plans to hold an audience with the media on Monday in the Vatican auditorium.
Pope's brother advised him against 'Leo' on eve of conclave
01:00 , Rhian Lubin
Pope Leo XIV’s brother advised him against adopting the name “Leo” should he be elected pontiff.
On the eve of the conclave, John Prevost told his brother that “it shouldn’t be Leo because it will be the 13th,” he told the Daily Herald.
“He said, ‘What should my name be?’” Prevost recalled. “But he must’ve done some research to see it’s actually the 14th.”
After the traditional announcement of “Habemus Papam” – “We have a pope” – from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, the new pontiff's baptismal name was revealed, followed by the all-important papal name, laden with symbolic meaning.
The last pope to choose the name Leo was more than 100 years ago. Pope Leo XIII led the Church from 1878 to 1903. The first pope of the name, Pope Leo the Great, led the church from 440-461.
Americans in St. Peter's Square stunned by choice of new pope
Friday 9 May 2025 00:40 , AP
Americans in St. Peter’s square were stunned and joyous when they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Provost, was elected pope Thursday and had taken the name Leo XIV.
“Who in our lifetime would have thought that we would see a North American Holy Father?” said Father Thomas Montanaro, an American priest with the Legionaries of Christ.
Montanaro was among the many tens of thousands of people who filled St. Peter’s Square for the historic moment.
Read on...
Americans in St. Peter's Square were stunned by choice of new pope
Meloni congratulates pope, noting his call to 'peace, brotherhood and responsibility'
Friday 9 May 2025 00:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on X: “I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate.
“In a time marked by conflicts and anxieties, his words from the Loggia delle Benedizioni are a powerful call to peace, brotherhood and responsibility.
“A spiritual legacy that is gathered in the furrow traced by Pope Francis, and that Italy looks at with respect and hope.”
Gaza, gay rights, abuse and Trump: How will Pope Leo XIV confront a world in crisis?
Friday 9 May 2025 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The first-ever American-born pope inherits a world in crisis.
In his first remarks as Pope Leo XIV, Chicago’s Robert Francis Prevost prayed for peace.
He said it nine times during Thursday’s brief address.
Alex Woodward reports.
What will Pope Leo XIV do? A world in crisis turns to the Vatican
Bill Clinton hails Pope Leo XIV's election as 'a historic moment'
Thursday 8 May 2025 23:40 , Rhian Lubin
Former President Bill Clinton hailed Pope Leo XIV’s election as “a historic moment” in a post on X this evening.
Watch: Americans in Rome react to US-born Pope being chosen as Francis’ successor
Thursday 8 May 2025 23:15 , Rhian Lubin
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’
Thursday 8 May 2025 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell
It didn’t take long for right-wing media figures and MAGA provocateurs to cry out in rage over the election of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV after it was revealed that he’d publicly criticized Vice President JD Vance and expressed sympathy for immigrants and George Floyd.
Despite feeling national pride over the fact that the Chicago-born Prevost has become the first American pope in history, conservative pundits and Trump loyalists fumed over the “WOKE MARXIST POPE” and complained that he is “worse than Francis,” referencing the previous pontiff known for his progressive values.
Justin Baragona reports on what our US readers likely knew was coming.
MAGA melts down over ‘WOKE MARXIST POPE’ who is a ‘Never Trumper liberal’
Is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox or Cubs fan?
Thursday 8 May 2025 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Well, that depends on who you believe...
Here’s a report from the AP:
The bells pealed at Holy Name Cathedral as a crowd quickly gathered. Schoolchildren mingled outside, whooping and shouting. Bishop Larry Sullivan, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago, told a press conference that it’s an exciting day for the city and the country.
“I would say the Chicago way is that we come together, we share our faith,” he said.
The cathedral’s rector, Father Gregory Sakowicz, said the sun came out in Chicago when the new pope was announced, a coincidence he described as “God’s way of remaining anonymous.”
He said he was “happily shocked,” and that he had a burning question: was the new Pope a White Sox fan? A journalist said she’d heard he’s for the Cubs, and Sakowicz chuckled. “God bless him,” he said.
However, local network WGN scored an interview with the new pope’s brother, and they’re reporting the pontiff is a White Sox fan...
Day one, and already a papal mystery has taken shape.
UN Secretary General offers ‘heartfelt congratulations’
Thursday 8 May 2025 22:16 , Oliver O'Connell
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he looks forward “to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See – nurtured most recently by Pope Francis – to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all.”
“The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges. Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion,” Guterres said.
And he quoted the new pope’s first words: “Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal: ‘May peace be with all the world.’”
What the new pope’s name choice says about his future plans
Thursday 8 May 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
The first hint of the new pope's direction has come with the name he picked.
USA Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV a senior cardinal announced to crowds in St. Peter's Square.
Continue reading...
Pope Leo XIV: What the new pope’s name choice says about his future plans
Putin wishes new Pope success based on 'Christian values'
Thursday 8 May 2025 21:51 , Oliver O'Connell
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his “cordial congratulations” to the new pope in a message published on the Kremlin’s website, wishing him “success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being.”
“I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,” the Russian leader said.
Canadian prime minister offers prayers and best wishes for the pope
Thursday 8 May 2025 21:48 , Oliver O'Connell
Newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a practicing Catholic, called the pope’s election a “historic day for Catholics and all who look to the Vatican for guidance.”
“At a time of global challenges, may his pontificate carry forward a mission of solidarity, compassion, and dignity for all,” Carney said in a post on social media.
Catholics in Boston celebrate — but weren't represented at Conclave
Thursday 8 May 2025 21:39 , AP
Boston is among the most Catholic of U.S. cities — about a quarter of the population identifies as Catholic, according to the Pew Research Center, down from 29% in 2014 after the clergy abuse scandal broke in the city and spread worldwide.
Boston’s former archbishop, Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, turned 80 in June, so he was too old to vote, and his successor, Archbishop Richard Henning, is not a cardinal. The city lacked a direct representative inside the conclave, but is cheering nonetheless.
“We have a pope! I join with Catholics in the Archdiocese of Boston and throughout the world, along with people of good will, in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Holy Father,” Henning said in a statement.
“We pray for him as he begins this ministry as the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Rome. May he be for us a visible source and foundation of communion in faith.”
Trump welcomes new American-born pope and says he can’t wait to meet him
Thursday 8 May 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
President Trump sent his well wishes to the new American Pope, Robert Prevost — even though the new pontiff has been critical of the president, his administration and his treatment of migrants.
Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, has shared several highly critical posts about Trump and his immigration policies on X.
Isabel Keane reports.
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