The Roman Catholic Church welcomed a new leader on Thursday evening as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. Joyful crowds at St. Peter’s Square erupted into chants of “Viva il Papa!” even before the official announcement was made from the Vatican balcony.

Habemus Papam—The conclave of Cardinals convened in the Sistine Chapel has elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

As the Catholic Church prepares to elect its 267th Pope, the eyes of the faithful turn to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Wednesday (May 7), where 133 cardinal electors will gather behind closed doors for the secretive and sacred process known as the conclave

The conclave to elect a new Pope will officially begin on May 7, the Holy See Press Office announced on Monday.

As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, attention is quietly turning toward the future leadership of the Catholic Church. According to Vatican observers and bookmakers, several prominent cardinals have emerged as the most likely candidates to become the next Pope. Each brings a distinct background, theological perspective and leadership style to the table.

The world mourns for Pope Francis at his ‘transitus’, to use a word that is both rich in meaning and familiar to the Church and the Franciscan spiritual tradition to describe one’s passing.