May 08, 2025, 4:30 PM EDT
Empire State Building to honor Pope Leo
The Empire State Building will shine gold and white on Thursday evening in honor of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Pope Leo XIV calls for end to wars in Ukraine, Gaza
Pope Leo XIV was elected as the Catholic Church's 267th leader on Thursday.
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+.
Latest headlines:
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Here's how the news is developing.
May 08, 2025, 4:12 PM EDT
Vice President JD Vance congratulates Pope Leo
Vice President JD Vance took to X to congratulate Pope Leo XIV, writing that Americans are praying for his success.
"Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American pope, on his election! I'm sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" Vance wrote.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
May 08, 2025, 4:11 PM EDT
This is what is on Pope Leo XIV’s schedule over coming days
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV will have several events scheduled over the next few days, according to the Vatican.
On Friday, Leo will celebrate mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11 a.m. local time, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists in a short briefing Thursday evening.
Leo will recite the Regina Coeli prayer from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday at noon.
On Monday at 10 a.m., Leo will give an audience to all accredited journalists and media workers, in which he is expected to give a speech.
-ABC News' Phoebe Natanson
May 08, 2025, 4:01 PM EDT
Pope Leo is the 1st Augustinian friar to be elected pontiff
In addition to being the first pope from the United States, Leo is the first Augustinian friar to be elected pontiff.
He graduated from Villanova University, the only Augustinian Catholic university in the nation, in 1977.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
"As an Augustinian Catholic institution, we celebrate this significant day for our University community and the global Church," the Rev. Peter Donohue, the university's president, said in a statement Thursday. "Villanova, built on the teachings of St. Augustine, has always been grounded in advancing a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between faith and reason -- between spirituality and wisdom. With today's election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, I cannot help but reflect on what his Augustinian papacy will mean to our University community and our world. Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, Pope Leo XIV's leadership offers an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission."
