Thousands of people from all over the world gathered in St. Peter's Square to see if white smoke would appear on the second day of the conclave.
JOE DANTUZZI, Canada
This is my first time here in Rome. I came here to witness the event of the new Pope being elected and selected.
While most people thought the white smoke would not be seen for a few more days, there were some optimistic faithful who hoped it would come sooner than expected.
JULIA AND ROBERT WHITE, Oklahoma, USA
I feel that it will be this afternoon. Today is day number two right? So sometime today – that would be our guess!
And their guess was correct – shortly after 6:00pm (Rome Time), white smoke billowed out of the chimney above the Sistine Chapel.
Still, no one knew who the new Pope was or where he came from.
Excitement filled the Square while all eyes focused their attention on the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica, waiting for Cardinal Dominique Mamberti to come out and announce the name of the new Pope.
Moments later, the doors opened and the Cardinal Protodeacon appeared to make the historic announcement…
The Church has a new pope: the first ever from the United States, Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name Leo XIV.
Moments later, the new Pope himself came out onto the balcony, and the crowd erupted with applause.
The Church's 267th Pope, Leo XIV began by wishing those in Saint Peter's Square and the millions watching on international media outlets across the globe, peace.
CRT
