May 09, 2025, 5:52 AM EDT
Pope begins homily in his first mass in English
In his first mass as pope, Leo XIV began his homily with some words in English. He also spoke in Italian and Spanish during the service.
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 09, 2025, 5:19 AM EDT
Pope Leo XIV celebrating his first mass as pope at the Sistine Chapel
On his first full day after being elected the 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is now celebrating his first mass as pope at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
The service started with a choir singing an antiphon from Psalm 46 and it is being conducted in multiple languages.
Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media via Reuters
May 09, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT
An estimated 150,000 people filled St. Peter's Square to welcome new pope
An estimated 150.000 people filled St. Peter's Square on Thursday evening to welcome the new pope, the Italian Department of Civil Protection told ABC News.
Pope Leo XIV has several events scheduled over the next few days, according to the Vatican.
Francesco Sforza/Vatican Media via AP
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 and 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 speed.
May 08, 2025, 8:12 PM EDT
A 'humble, good person' will lead the church, says friend of Pope Leo XIV
A friend and former classmate of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV is singing the new pontiff's praises has he ascends as the leader of the Catholic Church.
The Rev. Mark Francis described the pontiff as "low key," focused, "very thorough" and "an extremely good listener." He expects his friend to "continue along the lines of Pope Francis" but bring his own style.
"I am still amazed at the results of this election -- very happy, mainly because this humble, good person is going to be leading the church," Francis said.
3:47
ABCNews.com
Francis met Leo, then Robert Francis Prevost, in 1977 at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where they were both seminararians -- or religious students -- and in the same theological reflection group. During discussions, Leo could always be counted on to contribute thoughtfully to the conversations, Francis said.
Throughout their decades-long friendship, Francis has known the new pope as "Bob."
"It's going to take me a while to get used to calling him Pope Leo," Francis said.
