Watch: Pope Leo XIV makes first public appearance as new head of Catholic Church

The first-ever American Pope, Robert Prevost, made his first public appearance as the leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, stepping out onto the famous balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Thousands of jubilant people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to catch a glimpse of the new Pope.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013 — suggesting a return to some degree of tradition after Francis’ unorthodox pontificate.

People in the crowd were waving flags and joyfully chanting “Habemus Papam” – Latin for “We have a Pope” – after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the world know that a new Pope had been chosen. The energy was electric across the square, as the announcement brought cheers and applause.

The white smoke is a symbol that the cardinals have conducted a secret ballot and elected a new leader of the Church.

Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023. He has given few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.

FIRST AMERICAN POPE AT A CRUCIAL TIME

Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death last month of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years and widely sought to open the staid institution up to the modern world.

Francis enacted a range of reforms and allowed debate on divisive issues such as women’s ordination and better inclusion of LGBT Catholics.

Ahead of the conclave, some cardinals called for continuity with Francis’ vision of greater openness and reform, while others said they wanted to turn back the clock and embrace old traditions.

Leo XIV’s supporters had described him before the vote as a leader who could find balance. They called him a “dignified middle of the road” candidate, someone who could bring people together from both sides of the Church’s internal debates.

With inputs from AP, Reuters