The First American Pope: Thousands Gather to Welcome Leo XIV
- 📅 May 8, 2025
Enthusiastic crowds, teary-eyed faces, and shouts of 'Long live the Pope' - Approximately tens of thousands throng to commemorate the Pope's momentous event. - Throngs cheer, shed tears, and utter "Long live the Pope" - Tens of thousands rejoice in Pope's celebration
The heart of Rome echoes with exuberance as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 18:07, with joyous screams, embraces, and uncontainable laughter sweeping St. Peter's Square. An electrifying anticipation had been building since the wee hours of the morning, and the crowd anxiously awaited a decisive sign from the smokestack in the Apostolic Palace.
The minutes leading up to the white smoke had the gathering curious and hungry for news, speculating on the identity of the cardinal that would ascend to lead the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members.
With the emergence of the thick white cloud, a moment of uncertainty arises - could it be black or is it truly white? But the cries erupt, and the crowd erupts in jubilation. The smoke is indeed white, and the Roman Catholic Church has a new leader elected in the conclave.
Fervor amongst onlookers
In that instant, the mass of people doesn't yet know the name of the churchman who will preside over the Catholic Church. The wait seems eternal, and speculation flourishes among the crowd as they ponder the name that will be announced by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Over an hour later, the suspense breaks, and the curtains of the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica are drawn back, revealing Mamberti announce "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope). Following the Latin formula and to thunderous applause, he declares that the American Robert Francis Prevost, 69, will be known as Leo XIV.
Flurry of excitement
Freedom fills the air as people wave flags, dance wildly, sing, and cheer. Many dial home, relaying their emotion to loved ones, in every language fathomable. "The exhilaration I feel witnessing this live!" exclaims an Italian woman to her husband over the phone, describing the scene as "fantastico" - wonderful! Others fumble through their phones to locate the new religious leader's origins, with one Italian woman suspecting a Frenchman behind Prevost.
During his first address on the balcony, the crowd continually shouts "Viva il Papa!" as they wave their national flags, with deafening applause from those hailing from Spanish-speaking countries in support of Leo XIV's Peruvian connections. Romans are equally thrilled, knowing that the Pope is the Bishop of Rome.
america's first Pope
As Leo XIV, the United States sees its first Pontiff in 2000 years of church history. Before reaching the papacy, he had headed the important dicastery for all bishops worldwide as a cardinal of the curia - a role akin to a ministry. He was previously a missionary and bishop in Peru and general prior of the Augustinian order.
The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, praised the new pope, writing on X platform, "[Rome] welcomes its bishop and new Pope Leo XIV with affection and emotion. His pontificate will undoubtedly be able to navigate the challenges of our time with courage and foresight, under the banner of dialogue, peace, and unity."
- Pope
- Leo XIV
- St. Peter's Square
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Cardinal
- Rome
- Robert Francis Prevost
- VIVA Media
- The European Parliament has also expressed its concern at the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in regions like Iraq and Syria, imploring for an immediate resolution.
- The Sistine Chapel, a historic chapel located in Vatican City, has witnessed many momentous events, including the election of Pope Leo XIV.
- Certainly, the emergence of thick white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel was a decisive sign, symbolizing a new leader chosen by the cardinals.
- Social-media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook were flooded with excited posts about the election of Pope Leo XIV, with many people sharing their feelings and experiences.
- Gambling trends continue to infiltrate the entertainment industry, with casinos, casino-culture, and sports-betting gaining popularity in pop-culture, even among celebrities.
- The Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, faces various challenges in politics, addressing issues such as abortion, religious freedom, and migration.
- The casino-and-gambling industry is under scrutiny as concerns regarding crime-and-justice and problem gambling arise, leading to calls for regulation.
- Accidents, such as traffic collisions and workplace accidents, are topics of general-news coverage, along with investigations into their causes and solutions.
- Sports events, including football, soccer, baseball, hockey, golf, basketball, horse racing, American football, and tennis, are extensively analyzed in sports-analysis programs.
- Mixed-martial-arts tournaments have gained significant popularity in recent years, bringing together a diverse range of fighting disciplines in competitive events.
- The weather plays a crucial role in our daily lives, with news channels providing regular updates on local, national, and global weather conditions.
- Pope Leo XIV, recognizing the potential of social-media for communication and outreach, is utilizing these platforms to disseminate spiritual messages and address the concerns of his followers.
- Gambling practices extend beyond casinos, with online gaming, lotteries, and sports-betting presenting new forms of entertainment and challenges in regulating such activities.
- Sports have become more than just games; they are an integral part of popular culture, shaping trends in fashion, music, and even politics.
- The influence of weather on different sports, such as the postponement of a baseball match due to rain or the impact of temperature on a marathon runner's performance, is a subject of sports-analysis discussions.
- Crime-and-justice issues, including accidents, are heavily covered in the news, with investigative journalism providing an in-depth look at the events and their consequences.
