The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost was shortly thereafter announced as the 267th pontiff. He chose the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first American pope and is seen as a diplomat in the church.
"This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian in his first remarks as pope. "This is the peace of the risen Christ."
Tune in to "The American Pope: Leo XIV," a special edition of "20/20," streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.
Leo being an American did not carry weight into election as pope, cardinal says
During a press conference with American cardinals on Friday, Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, said he did not think the fact that Pope Leo was from the United States "carried much weight" in the decision to elect him as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
U.S. Cardinal Timothy Dolan of NY and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark attend a press conference at the North American College in Rome, May 9, 2025.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
Regarding the remarks earlier by Cardinal Maung Bo — who said Leo will "build a bridge" with President Donald Trump — Dolan said the new pontiff will instead "build bridges with leaders of every nation."
Dolan said Leo's potential meeting with Trump would "not be of more heft" than conversations with other world leaders.
May 09, 2025, 9:19 AM EDT
Leo’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues and role of women in the church
Pope Leo's past statements suggest he may take different positions on some social issues than his predecessor Pope Francis did.
Pope Francis appoints as new cardinal U.S-born prelate prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Robert Francis Prevost during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Creation of new Cardinal at St. Peter's Square on September 30, 2023 in Vatican City.
Vatican Pool/Getty Images
In 2012, he expressed concern about Western media promoting what he called "beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel," including same-sex relationships, according to the New York Times. As a bishop in Peru from 2015 through 2023, he opposed teaching gender studies in schools, stating that "gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don't exist."
That appears to mark a departure from Francis's more welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ issues. Francis famously asked "Who am I to judge?" when discussing gay clerics, and made headlines with his decision to allow same-sex couple blessings.
In other areas, like women serving in leadership roles in the Catholic Church, Leo has taken a more progressive stance.
In a 2023 interview with Vatican Media, Leo XIV highlighted his experience with having women in church leadership, particularly discussing the three women appointed to help select bishops -- a reform he oversaw under Francis.
"Their opinion introduces another perspective and becomes an important contribution to the process," he told Vatican Media, emphasizing that their roles represent "real, genuine, and meaningful participation."
Pope Leo already has events on his calendar for his first week as the head of the Catholic Church.
On Saturday, he will meet with the cardinals, and on Sunday will be a noon-time prayer from the Central Loggia of the Basilica.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass with the College of Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican the day after his election as 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, May 9, 2025.
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media via AP
On Monday, Leo will meet with the world press and on Friday is a meeting with the ambassadors of the Embassies to the Holy See.
Pope Leo will hold his inaugural Mass on Sunday, May 18.
Rome is prepared for both "very busy Sundays" for the pope's events this Sunday and on May 18, a spokesperson for Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said.
Both days will attract large crowds and therefore require "the same security put in place for Pope Francis' funeral," the spokesperson said.
-ABC News’ Phoebe Natanson and Camilla Alcini
May 09, 2025, 8:27 AM EDT
Cardinal hopes Pope Leo will 'build a bridge' with Trump
Cardinal Maung Bo, the archbishop of Yangon, in Myanmar, told ABC News he hopes Pope Leo XIV will be able to "build a bridge" with President Donald Trump.
Bo said he is "very excited" for the first American pope and that Leo will be a "good shift" for the Catholic Church.
Bo would not reveal if he voted for Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, during the conclave.
1:01
Cardinal hopes Pope Leo will 'build a bridge' with TrumpCardinal Maung Bo, the archbishop of Yangon, told ABC News’ James Longman that he hopes Pope Leo XIV will be able to "build a bridge" with President Donald Trump.
