The announcement of his election came with the traditional Latin declaration “Habemus Papam” from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, following the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signaling the conclusion of the conclave of 133 cardinals. Upon appearing before a massive crowd of about 150,000 in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV offered his first public words: “Peace be with all you,” spoken in both Spanish and Italian. Notably, he did not address the public in English, his native language. This decision may underscore his global identity—he holds American, Vatican, and Peruvian citizenship and is fluent in Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, with reading ability in Latin and German.
In a gesture of humility and unity, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, recalling the late pontiff’s final Easter blessing before passing away on April 21. He urged Catholics worldwide to build bridges through dialogue and mutual understanding, emphasizing his hope for unity and peace. “Help us as well—help one another—to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, uniting everyone to be one single people always in peace,” he said, resonating with the crowd that had gathered under the Roman sky.
Pope Leo XIV also warmly acknowledged Chiclayo, Peru, the city where he served as bishop, expressing gratitude in Spanish. His long-standing ties to Peru and his naturalization as a Peruvian citizen in 2015 have contributed to his global pastoral experience, making him a unique bridge between the Americas and the Vatican. The Peruvian President expressed heartfelt congratulations, celebrating his service to Peru with love and faith.
While the world celebrated his election, the new pontiff will also face close scrutiny, especially regarding his past handling of sexual abuse allegations during his time as an Augustinian superior and in Peru. The Vatican is expected to confront these issues with renewed seriousness under his leadership.
Messages of congratulations poured in from global leaders. Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed national pride, calling it a “great honor for our country” and anticipating a future meeting with the pope. Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated Leo XIV’s roots in the city’s South Side, saying, “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!” Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle also extended their congratulations, referring to the day as historic for the United States.
The global significance of this moment was further reflected by statements from leaders of nations currently at odds. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced hope that the Vatican would support Ukraine’s pursuit of justice and peace. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the Christian values uniting Russia and the Vatican, expressing confidence in continued cooperation.
Back in the United States, Villanova University, where Leo XIV earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1977, celebrated the election with jubilation. The university’s president shared his astonishment at seeing an alumnus rise to the highest spiritual office in the Catholic Church.
The election process took place over several days, beginning with the cardinals’ seclusion in the Sistine Chapel. After multiple rounds of voting, the required two-thirds majority was reached, bringing the conclave to a close and introducing the world to its new pope. As the Church faces modern challenges, Pope Leo XIV’s unique background, multilingual abilities, and global perspective may offer a unifying vision for Catholics across continents.
His election stands not only as a spiritual milestone but also as a reflection of the increasingly interconnected world the Church serves today. As Pope Leo XIV steps into the role of shepherd to the Catholic faithful, his message of peace, dialogue, and bridge-building suggests a papacy that aims to heal divides both within and beyond the Church.
