A new pope for Roman Catholics - 19th May 2025

White smoke rose recently from the top of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to announce that cardinals had elected a new pope. The election lasted simply two days, and the news attracted thousands of people to St Peter's Square. The excited crowds waited for the new head of the Roman Catholic Church to make an appearance.

Details of the new pope were provided by Senior Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. He began his announcement with the Latin words,"Habemus Papam", or "We have a pope".

For the first time ever, the chosen leader is an American, Robert FrancIs Prevost. His election took many by surprise, which included this director of Washington Cathedral.

Reverend Monsignor W Ronald Jameson: "Very proud, but I must say, I was totally shocked and I was not expecting an American being named Pope. I thought, never in my lifetime, maybe later, but not in my lifetime."

It's a centuries-old custom for popes to select a name but perhaps Prevost's title, Leo XIV, has been chosen to show he's ready to be a strong leader.

Prevost, who's 69, was born in the USA, his family are French, Italian and Spanish. Since he was based in Peru for a long period, he's also a Peruvian citizen. His fans hope that with this background he'll plan to include everyone, just like the last pope, Francis.

Azul Montemayor: "I'm a bit surprised. I was not expecting an American to be elected and I'm just, I'm hoping that he carries on Francis's legacy of just being more inclusive."

After the religious ceremony on 18th May in St Peter's Square, Prevost officially became the holy leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.