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+.
When asked at the conclusion of a White House ceremony honoring military mothers for his reaction to a new pope being chosen, President Donald Trump acknowledged the news out of the Vatican.
"I've seen the smoke, but I haven't seen the pope," he said before walking out of the East Room.
Thousands of people have gatherered in Vatican Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected pope.
White smoke was released from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening, signifying that the 133 voting cardinals reached a two-thirds majority to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Crowds cheered as the smoke emerged and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang.
The new pope is expected to address the crowd next to the iconic red velvet curtains lining the central balcony of the basilica.
The conclave to elect the 267th pope ended after the second day of voting on Thursday, marking one of the shortest conclaves in history.
There are only two other instances in recent history where a pontiff was elected after only two days of voting, first for Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and the second for Pope Francis in 2013.
White smoke was seen emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a two-thirds vote has been reached to elect a new pope.
Thousands of people cheered in Vatican Square when the smoke appeared.
