Habemus papam: Conclave has chosen new pope

The cardinal electors have chosen a new Pope!

Thunderous applause welcomed the white smoke emanating from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinal electors had cast their votes to choose a new pope.

At a little over 1:15 a.m. Philippines time, the cardinals emerged to announce the chosen one: Robert Prevost—the first ever pontiff from the United States—who has taken the name Leo XIV.

Some minutes later, the new Pope himself came out onto the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square. "Peace be with all you," he said in his first words to the world.

The 133 cardinals cast their votes for the fourth time and finally reached at least a two-thirds majority to elect Pope Francis' successor to lead 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.

The white smoke was seen around 6:20 p.m. or 12:20 a.m. (Philippine time).

The people can be heard chanting, "Habemus Papam! Habemus Papam!" as they continued to cheer and clap as some were laughing and waving their flags.

The flags that can be seen from the balcony are from France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Italy, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Sweden, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Solomon Islands, USA, Czech Republic, Philippines, Canada, Poland, Malta and Cuba.

The average number of ballots it has taken to be elected over the past 10 conclaves was 7.2. Francis was elected after five in 2013.

The new Supreme Pontiff also has his plate full with armed conflict in different parts of the world, including Israel's assault and blockade on Gaza, the Ukraine-Russia war, the recent Pakistan-India skirmish, the Sudan conflict, and the Rohingya issue in Myanmar.

He will also have to deal with thorny issues within the Church—clerical sex abuse in particular, as well as the role of women in the Church, and whether LGBTQIA+ Catholics have a place in it. 

Prevost, who was only made a cardinal in 2023, was brought to Rome by Francis in that year to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe, meaning he has had a hand in selecting many of the world's bishops. He holds both US and Peruvian citizenship, meaning he could be considered the second Latin American pope—and the second pope from the Americas—after his direct predecessor Francis.

Prevost said during a 2023 Vatican press conference: "Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church."

Before being brought to Rome, Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, from 2015 to 2023. —  with Andy Peñafuerte III and reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse/BAP/BM, GMA Integrated News