Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV will officially inaugurate his papacy with Mass in St. Peter's Square May 18.

Where Christians are "mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied" is where the Catholic Church's "missionary outreach is most desperately needed," Pope Leo XIV said in his first homily as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Even before he stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and spoke May 8, Pope Leo XIV's choice of a name was a powerful statement.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen by the 133 cardinal electors to guide the Church following the passing of Pope Francis April 21. He will assume the name Pope Leo XIV.

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

If the Holy Spirit is inspiring them, why do the cardinals need more than one ballot to elect a pope?

The 133 cardinals who entered the conclave failed to reach a two-thirds supermajority of at least 89 votes to elect a new pope during their morning session May 8.

As expected, the 133 cardinals who entered the Sistine Chapel May 7 failed to elect the next pope on their first ballot.

As members of the College of Cardinals joined together in solemn reverence for the Mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff at St. Peter’s Basilica this morning, a resounding clash of thunder tore through the Roman sky, shattering the mystical silence that enveloped crowds and symbolically igniting the conclave’s official start with lively anticipation.

As Catholics worldwide turn their attention to the impending conclave as the Church seeks to elect its 267th pontiff, one curious group of onlookers in particular is keeping a close watch.