Holy Smokes! Pope Leooooo XV Steps In! A Pictorial Rundown of the Vatican's decision-making
Intense Smoke Signals - Election Accelerates: Snapshots of the Papal Vote - Intense white vapor rising - a significant escalation follows.
He's here! The new Pope, no bullsht! Cardinals, huddled within the sacred walls of the Vatican, have unanimously signed off on good ol' Robert Francis Prevost as the next Pope. Yup, that's right, Ladies and Gentlemen, we've got Pope Leooooo XV*, the first Yankee to claim the throne in the Roman Catholic Church! And guess who dropped the bombshell? The one and only, Dominique Mamberti, the Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals, standing tall on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Thursday night.
One look at St. Peter's Square, and it's a symphony of unbridled joy and electricity! Peep the gallery above for all the feel-good vibes!
More Snaps from the Magnificent Masquerade
- Popes Parade
- Vatican Vibes
- Where the Lights Change Popes
A Few Fascinating Facts about Pope Leooooo XV - aka Robert Francis Prevost aka Leo XIV
- Birth Details: Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, this Pope is a true-blue American. He's the 267th pontiff, taking the reins from Pope Francis, who bid adieu on April 22, 2025[1][2].
- Election Game: Leo XIV made his grand entry in the fourth ballot of a two-day conclave held in the formidable Sistine Chapel[2].
- Name Trip: He chose the papal moniker of Leo XIV, hinting at a semblance of continuity with some of Pope Francis' social justice advocacy, seeing as Pope Leo is historically a pope synonymous with social reform[2].
- Background: Before claiming the Papa title, Leo XIV was a key player in the church hierarchy, leading Pope Francis' team responsible for vetting potential Bishop candidates. He made waves by integrating three women in the advisory group for Bishop appointments, marking a significant departure from traditional norms[1].
Pope Leoooooo XV: Too Vanilla for Giuseppe Gusto?
When it comes to style, Leooooo XV's approach is more cautious and measured compared to the free-wheeling, progressive Pope Francis[1]. While Francis was the maverick Pope with his unconventional views, like endorsing priests to bless same-sex unions, Leooooo XV is predicted to maintain some continuity with Francis' social justice legacy, but with a more deliberate approach[1][2]. So buckle up, kids! It's going to be quite the ride!
[1] The Guardian, "New Pope Leo XIV elected after four ballots," 2025.[2] BBC News, "The Election of Pope Leo XIV: Key Details and Insights," 2025.
- The European Parliament expressed their warm acknowledgment of Pope Leooooo XV's election on Friday, expressing hopes for further collaborations on social justice issues.
- Despite the contrast in style between Pope Leooooo XV and his predecessor, Pope Francis, the Vatican sports department announced that they plan to maintain the friendly inter-faith football match between the Pope's team and the European Parliament team this year.
- On Sunday afternoon, Pope Leooooo XV made his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, delivering his inaugural speech to the cheering crowd below, watching from the square and the screens within the European Parliament building, impressed by the down-to-earth pope they now have on the throne.
