The new pope gave his first public speech, which attracted international notice and moved many in attendance.

Cardinal Robert Prevost made an appearance as Pope Leo XIV on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, May 8, 2025. He discussed peace, unity, and carrying on Pope Francis’ efforts in his first speech. His comments were heard well over the throng below.

He began with the greeting, “Peace be with all of you,” emphasizing its universal significance. Describing it as a “disarming peace” grounded in humility and perseverance, he expressed hope that it would reach individuals and families worldwide.

Referencing Pope Francis, he said, “The Pope who blessed Rome, gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, that Easter morning. Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!”

He characterised Christ as a light that the world still seeks, and he exhorted the faithful to proceed fearlessly, united in faith. The pope emphasised the church’s responsibility to help people in need and invited Christians to contribute to the building of bridges through communication and joint action.

Leo XIV also acknowledged his fellow cardinals for their trust, thanked his former diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, and cited Saint Augustine, “With you I am a Christian and for you I am a bishop.” He expressed hope for a Church that is missionary, open, and close to those who suffer.

He urged the faithful to join him in prayer for peace and direction as he embarks on his journey by announcing the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii.

The address prompted swift responses online. One viewer wrote, “Goosebumps.” Another commented, “His words brought actual chills… peace and unity are exactly what our world needs right now. I have hope in this new chapter for the Church.”

Some viewers saw broader implications in the pope’s message. One, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, remarked, “And sent a message to Trump ! ” Another echoed this sentiment, “He’s talking to you Donnie!”

Others gave humorous answers. In reference to the U.S. president’s well-known practice of firing individuals, one joked about how long it may take for Trump to attempt to “fire” the pope.

Trump’s previous remarks about building walls were contrasted with the pope’s exhortation to “build bridges” in a different quote, implying a stark divergence in principles. Another said they hoped the pope would stick to traditional Church teachings and voiced concern that the address sounded more progressive than they had anticipated.

Some emphasised the American heritage of the pope. One noted that although being born in the United States, he currently serves the Church worldwide. Another said that, considering the historic circumstances of his election, it would have been significant to recall his homeland.

The significance of this moment also drew a response from former President Donald Trump. He posted a message on the official White House X page, congratulating Prevost and calling it “a Great Honor for our Country” to see an American elected pope. “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” he said.

Even though Pope Leo XIV has assumed a global position, his voice was already heard in American politics prior to his election. In a post on his personal X account in February 2025, he publicly stated, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”

His focus on the inclusiveness of Christian compassion was reflected in the widely shared message, which was linked to an article in the National Catholic Reporter.

Following his historic election and the conclave that followed Pope Francis’ death, Pope Leo XIV delivers his first speech as the new pope.

The Vatican made the announcement in the evening of May 8, just one day after the 133 cardinals in the conclave began their serious discussions. Pope Francis, who guided the Church through ten years of change and rebirth, recently passed away, and the election followed.

Cardinals from 71 nations, many of whom Pope Francis personally selected, convened in meditative silence inside the Vatican to choose the future spiritual leader of the 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.

St. Peter’s Square was filled with emotion and joy as millions of people gazed up at the white smoke. Shortly thereafter, the Church proclaimed, “Habemus Papam” — We have a Pope — from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, confirming the election.

The 267th Pope has been elected President of the United States. He becomes the first American to become pope at the age of 69. He presents a special fusion of pastoral experience and a global viewpoint, having been born in Chicago, Illinois.

After working as a missionary in Trujillo, Peru, for ten years, Pope Leo XIV was appointed bishop of Chiclayo, where he presided over the diocese from 2014 until 2023.

He oversaw a crucial Vatican ministry that appointed bishops prior to his election, which was crucial during Pope Francis’ reform campaign. It is anticipated that his incoming papacy would continue that same inclusive and revitalising vision.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy, who was hailed for his diplomatic skills, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, who was adored for his humility and ability to connect with the faithful, were among the names who were once thought to be front-runners.

In addition to a new era for the Church, this shift gives millions of people fresh hope that is based on compassion, faith, and solidarity.

The outcome of the conclave was more familiar before the moment of white smoke announced the Church’s choice.

Cardinals assembled in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to start the conclave that would choose the next pope. Black smoke billowed from the chapel’s chimney around 9:00 p.m., indicating that the first voting had concluded without a decision. People who followed the news worldwide responded to the incident.

Vatican News reports that no Pope was elected at the end of the poll. About 45,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square, anticipating an announcement after 7:00 p.m., but it wouldn’t come until almost two hours later, because the outcome was still up in the air.

Shortly after black smoke appeared over the Sistine Chapel, the throng reportedly started to disperse from the Piazza. Tourists hoping their trip coincided with a historic declaration were among those waiting, as did residents who had come after work and claimed they would be back the next day.

Sharing in the anticipation was Deacon Nicholas Nkoronko from Tanzania, who stood among the faithful in the square. He said, “Our role here is to pray and to join with other Christians, other Catholics, to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the whole process.”

Nkoronko emphasised that the Pope’s origin — whether from Africa, Asia, or America — was secondary to his spiritual leadership, stating that what the Church truly needs is “a holy Pope”, someone who “will guide the Church and will be the pastor of the Church.”

Online, public reactions varied sharply. One netizen wrote, “Swearing secrecy is not a good thing. This should be open. Secrets only leave room for deception.” Another stated, “It is not worthy [sic] one to discuss with. Yet another election with no use.”

Others questioned the process. One remarked, “I think these people are voting for themselves,” while another asked, “took so long?”

One user questioned the conclave’s speed, predicting that the selection of a new Pope might take months. Another individual contemplated the legacy of Pope Francis and expressed the possibility of encountering an equally remarkable individual.

Another gave a sincere prayer, pleading for divine intervention and expressing the hope that the next pope would be a someone who genuinely cared about the people. Someone expressed a range of feelings, including sadness at Pope Francis’s departure and hope for the appointment of a new pope.

As the cardinals get ready for the procedures the following day, another witness wished them luck and accepted the first ballot’s predictable result.

Church authorities and academics familiar with the conclave indicated that while the public contemplated the event, the proceedings within the Sistine Chapel proceeded according to known patterns.

The first poll was expected to be delayed for a number of reasons, according to Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at The Catholic University.

He cited the extended length of the homily by Cardinal Cantalamessa, “who has a tendency to preach long,” as well as the drawn-out oath-taking process, which he said “took forever as they entered into conclave.” Martens noted this was “much longer than last time around.”

Martens added that the process unfolds at a measured pace, in part due to the age of many participants. “It’s not like you have 20-year-olds running up to the altar, so that takes time,” he said.

He also pointed to procedural demands, such as selecting revisers to verify the scrutineers’ work. “So it’s a lengthy process,” he said, and later added, “So be patient. And extend your airtime a little longer.”

The first round serves a purpose, even though it rarely produces a result. The vote is important even if “it’s close to no chance” that a pope will be chosen during this period, according to Word on Fire founder Bishop Robert Barron.

He called it “an important one, almost certainly indecisive,” but noted that it “will give a good indication of where the conclave is.”

Jesuit priest and America Media editor-in-chief Reverend Sam Sawyer, however, stressed that the conclave’s secrecy is intended to protect the cardinals from outside interference. “It gives them the freedom to vote within their own conscience for the man they think is best suited to be the pope,” he said.

It also allows the electors to have candid conversations, he continued, allowing them “to be really frank with each other.”

Sawyer further noted the historical importance of confidentiality: “In the past, one of the reasons to protect the conclave this way is because it would come under political pressure or come under, you know, pressure from people who would basically hand the papacy down within families.”

The conclave’s sturdy construction serves to further enhance that defence. Every phase of the election adheres to a rigorous, centuries-old process, as explained by Vatican News.

Cardinal electors receive ballots printed with the Latin phrase “Eligo in Summum Pontificem”. They write the name of their chosen candidate, fold the ballot, swear an oath, and place it in a chalice at the altar using a plate.

A scrutineer deposits the vote on behalf of people who are unwell and unable to attend the altar. Three selected infirmarii take a sealed box to their apartments to retrieve the ballot if a cardinal is too ill to be in the chapel. The ballot is then returned under stringent procedural safeguards.

Once every vote has been cast, scrutineers read out each name and verify the total. After being strung together, the ballots are burned in a cast-iron stove. The smoke is expelled through the chimney by a second stove that was built in 2005. If no Pope is chosen, chemicals put to the fire produce black smoke; if one is, they make white smoke.

A candidate needs a two-thirds majority, or at least 89 votes from the 133 electors, in order to be elected Pope. Every day, up to four ballots are cast. The procedure includes planned breaks for prayer and introspection if, after several rounds, no conclusion is made.

Only the two front-runners are still eligible after 21 inconclusive votes, but they are unable to cast their own ballots and the two-thirds requirement is still in effect.