On Thursday 8th May, after just two days of voting in the conclave, white smoke appeared from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel and the bells were rung, signalling to the thousands of people gathered in the square below that a new pope had been elected.
Thousands more people rushed to the square to await the announcement.
Just before 6.20pm, it was announced that Cardinal Robert Prevost had been elected as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter and that he would be taking the name ‘Pope Leo XIV’.
He is the first pope from North America and the first pope who is a member of the Augustinian religious order.
He has chosen the name Leo. The last pope with this name was Pope Leo XIII, over one hundred years ago, whose work was the basis for Catholic Social Teaching.
As we celebrate this Year of Jubilee when we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, we give thanks that Pope Leo will continue to speak up for those who are poor or marginalised in our world.
We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges
Pope Leo XIV, 8th May 2025
On the balcony, Pope Leo’s first words were ‘Peace be with all of you’, echoing the words Jesus spoke to his disciples when he appeared to them after his Resurrection.
Let us listen to those words from John’s Gospel.
The new Pope invoked Our Lady as she
always wants to walk with us, to be close to use, and to help us with her intercession and her love.
So let us say together the Hail Mary:
In the name of the Father, and the Son. and the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grave
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and the Son. and the Holy Spirit.
Leave a Comment