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.

ByDavid Brennan, Jon Haworth, Julia Jacobo, Megan Forrester, and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: May 11, 2025, 7:55 AM EDT

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:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 07, 2025, 11:28 AM EDT

This week's conclave is the most diverse in history

The conclave starting Wednesday is the most diverse in history, with cardinals coming from all over the world to elect the next pope.

Cardinal electors pray in the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts in The Vatican, May 7, 2025.
Vatican Media/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The majority of the cardinals are coming from Europe, including 17 electors from Italy, five from Spain and five from France.

There are 16 cardinal electors from North America, including 10 from the United States. Additionally, there are four from Central America, 17 from South America, 18 from Africa, 23 from Asia and four from Oceania.

Argentina, the home country of Pope Francis, has four cardinal electors.

May 07, 2025, 11:17 AM EDT

Cardinals will be without cellphones for duration of conclave

The 133 voting cardinals have taken the oath of secrecy prior to the official start of the papal conclave, meaning they will be without modern technology for the days-long voting process to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Since recording technology of any kind is forbidden during the conclave, the cardinals' cellphones have been taken away.

Faithful watch giant screen displaying images of the procession of cardinals to the Sistine chapel as the conclave to elect a new Pope starts, at St Peter's Square in The Vatican, May 7, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

The phones will not be returned until the new pope is elected.

Technicians also ensured that there are no secretly installed bugs or similar devices inside the Sistine Chapel or adjacent areas.

May 07, 2025, 11:05 AM EDT

Cardinals take oath to ensure secrecy of conclave

The 133 cardinals line up to take an oath to ensure the secrecy of the conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Each cardinal will place their hand on the Book of the Gospels to take the oath.

The oath promises to keep the secrecy of anything that relates to the election of the new pope.

The 133 cardinals take the oath as a group to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.
9:25
Cardinals take oath to ensure secrecy of conclaveThe 133 cardinals take the oath as a group to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.
ABCNews.com

May 07, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT

Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel

Cardinals make their way from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave to elect the next pope.

Once the procession ends, the 133 cardinals will take an oath as a group to ensure the secrecy of the conclave.

A total of 133 eligible cardinals left the Pauline Chapel in a processional headed toward the Sistine Chapel.
9:46
Papal conclave begins with cardinals’ processionA total of 133 eligible cardinals left the Pauline Chapel in a processional headed toward the Sistine Chapel.
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