A day after the Solemn Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry, Pope Leo XIV welcomed ecumenical and interreligious delegations for a special audience, emphasizing his commitment to unity, dialogue, and human fraternity on May 19.
In his first address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Leo XIV called on the international community to build a world founded on peace, justice, and truth—pillars he described as essential to the Church’s diplomatic mission.
From May 12 to 14, the Vatican is celebrating the Jubilee of the Eastern Catholic Churches, bringing together the faithful and hierarchy of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches for a rich program of Divine Liturgies and prayers in their respective rites.
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Leo XIV, and becoming the first American-born pope in the Church’s 2,000-year history on May 8.
As white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica ring out, the world receives the joyful news: Habemus Papam — We have a Pope! But what exactly unfolds behind the scenes before this historic announcement is made?
Habemus Papam! White smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:10 p.m. Rome time (9:40 p.m. IST) today, marking the successful election of a new pope — the 267th successor of St. Peter and spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
The first day of the conclave to elect the 267th Pope concluded without success, as black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 8, Wednesday, indicating no candidate received the required two-thirds majority vote.
No Pope was elected on the first day of the conclave to choose the 267th successor of St. Peter. Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 9:00 p.m. on May 7, Wednesday, signaling that the initial round of voting had concluded without a successful result.
