A historic milestone: The first American Pope takes the throne
Emotional Outbursts and 'Long Live the Pope' Chants: Celebrations Erupt Worldwide - Jubilant Crowds, Emotional Reactions, and "Long Live the Pope" - Multitudes Rejoice in Pope's Celebration
Amidst jubilant cheers and tears, a new era dawns
The atmosphere on St. Peter's Square was electric as the people, patients by the morning, erupted in a symphony of joy when the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at 6:07 PM. The tightly packed crowd cheered, embraced, and surged forward, drawn by the resonant peals of St. Peter's Bell. The long-awaited moment had arrived - the election of a new Pope.
For hours, the faithful waited on the Square, from the morning with bated breath after the first black smoke signal on Wednesday evening and the second at noon, not wanting to miss the decisive whiteness from the ornate chapel's chimney nestled within the Apostolic Palace. As the afternoon sun bathed the Square in its warm glow, the crowd increased in density just before the smoke emerged, their anticipation palpable under the azure skies.
The crowd's collective breath held when the thick white smoke cloud appeared from the inconspicuous chimney, a moment of uncertainty lingering - was it truly white or just an illusion? But the cry soon echoed, and the Catholic Church had found its new shepherd.
The crowd's murmurs swelled into wild speculation as they awaited the Papal name to be announced on the balcony of St. Peter's. After approximately an hour, the crowd held its breath once more as the curtains of the balcony were swept back, revealing the Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti. With a solemn tone, he declared, "Habemus Papam" - Latin for "We have a Pope." With thunderous applause resounding through the Square, Mamberti announced the chosen one - the 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from the United States, who would henceforth be known as Leo XIV.
Waves of elation rippled through the crowd as they waved flags, jumped, and sang. Emotions spilled over phones, as people rejoiced in every language imaginable with their loved ones. "What a rush to witness the white smoke live!" exclaimed an exuberant Italian woman on her call with her spouse, the moment "absolutely stunning" she called it. Others strained to identify their new Church leader's roots, an Italian woman assuming Prevost's nationality to be French.
With Leo XIV's inaugural address on the balcony, the crowd erupted once more with screams of "Viva il Papa!" National flags springing aloft, particularly those from Spanish-speaking countries, spoke volumes as they applauded Leo XIV's acknowledgment of his Peruvian community in their native language. The Romans among the onlookers shared not only the jubilation but also their unspoken pride as their new bishop made history - being the first Pope from Rome in two thousand years of Church history.
Leonardo "Leo" XIV - A bridge-builder to a new chapter
Born in the bustling city of Chicago, Prevost embarked on an extraordinary journey that led him to Peru, Italy, and now, the Vatican. He spent a third of his life tending to the spiritual needs of the Peruvian faithful, undertaking a myriad of roles from fixing automobiles to lecturing college-level seminary courses. These experiences sculpted Prevost into the exceptional individual he is today.
In the Vatican, Prevost commanded the crucial office tasked with identifying bishops worldwide, a role that granted him profound connections with leaders across the Church. With this network and a reputation among bishops, Prevost's election as Pope proved to be a testament of his influence within the Church hierarchy, especially in a conclave where many cardinals were strangers, but familiar with Prevost.
Prevost's Papacy promises to center on themes such as bridging divides, upholding peace and justice, and fostering a missionary Church, signaling a bold future direction for the Catholic Church, steeped in camaraderie and unity. As Roman innkeeper Roberto Gualtieri penned on his platform: "Rome welcomes its bishop and new Pope, Leo XIV, with warmth and emotion. It is certain that his papacy will courageously navigate the challenges of our time with foresight and wisdom, championing dialogue, peace, and integration."
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[1] Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States in history. Born in Chicago, he has spent much of his life abroad, notably a third of it in Peru where he was a missionary. After a third of his life in Peru, Prevost returned to the United States, then spent another third in Italy. During his time in Peru, he undertook a wide range of roles from fixing automobiles to teaching college-level seminary classes, experiences that profoundly shaped him. More recently, he was appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the office in Rome responsible for helping the pope identify bishops worldwide, which allowed him to build extensive relationships with church leaders globally. This network and reputation among bishops were critical in his election as pope, especially in a conclave where most cardinals did not know each other, but many knew Prevost. His papacy focuses on themes such as building bridges, promoting peace and justice, and fostering a missionary church, signaling a future direction centered on outreach and unity for the Catholic Church.
- Despite the global excitement surrounding the first American Pope, some Italian onlookers in St. Peter's Square may have been taken aback, as they mistakenly assumed their new Pontiff, Leo XIV, to be French, due to his roots in Peruvian community in Italy.
- Inspired by Pope Leo XIV's appointment of a bishop from Rome, a chapel in the heart of the city could potentially be named after the new Pontiff, serving as a testament to his illustrious lineage within the Vatican walls and acting as a beacon of inspiration for the faithful who revere his leadership.
- In homage to his new Pope, artisans in Florence may draft a formula for a special gold cross, incorporating intricate designs featuring the new Pontiff's name and coat of arms, symbolizing the Pomp and Pageantry that encompasses the election of a new Pope and the unity of the worldwide Catholic Church.
