At 6:07 PM local time on May 8, white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, announcing that the 267th Pope had been elected—American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen, taking the papal name 'Pope Leo XIV'. This is not only the first time in American history that a cardinal has ascended to the papacy but also marks a significant historical moment for the Catholic Church.
The 69-year-old Prevost was born in Chicago, USA, and was elevated to cardinal in 2023. His election came after a two-day conclave, wherein 133 cardinals under the age of 80 from 70 countries worldwide cast their votes. According to canon law, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the votes to be elected.
About an hour after the white smoke appeared, Cardinal Protodeacon Gambetti took to the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce in Latin, 'We have a Pope,' and revealed the new pope’s name. Subsequently, Pope Leo XIV made his debut on the balcony, greeting the faithful gathered in the square and delivering the 'Urbi et Orbi' apostolic blessing.
Tens of thousands of believers flocked to St. Peter’s Square, generating a high-spirited atmosphere with people waving flags from various countries, accompanied by warm applause and cheers. Some media described the scene as reminiscent of the climax just before a superstar concert begins.
This secret meeting commenced on May 7 due to the passing of the previous Pope Francis. A total of 133 cardinals participated this time, setting a record for the highest number of participants compared to the 115 cardinals in the previous conclave. The number of countries represented also increased from 48 to 70. This reflects the efforts of former Pope Francis during his tenure to promote globalization within the Church and elevate church leaders from different regions.
Notably, Cardinal Sebastian Francis from the Diocese of Penang, Malaysia, was also invited to participate in the election. He is the second cardinal in Malaysia’s history, appointed personally by Pope Francis in 2023. He has served as the bishop of the Diocese of Penang since 2011 and is 73 years old, hailing from Johor.