At 7:13 p.m., 65 minutes after the white smoke, thousands of faithful and pilgrims saw the curtains of the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica open. The Cardinal Protodeacon, Dominique Mamberti, appeared before the crowd and in a solemn voice pronounced the historic words: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam..."followed by the name of the new Pontiff: Cardinal Prevostwho has taken the name of Leo XIV.
The square erupted in jubilation. Hundreds of bells rang throughout Rome as flags waved and many faithful embraced excitedly. Amid shouts of "Long live the Pope!" and the singing of the You are Petrusthe new successor of Peter appeared before the world for the first time. Dressed in white and with a serene gesture, he greeted the crowd with an apostolic blessing, thanking his brother cardinals for their confidence and asking for prayers for his mission.
Thus begins a new stage for the Catholic Church, marked by hope and expectation. In the next few hours Pope Leo XIV will address the faithful once again and will formally begin his pontificate with an inaugural Mass in the coming days.
