New Pope Leo XIV was elected after conclave in Vatican City
A new Pope Leo XIV, has been elected — he is a 69-year-old American formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost.
Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube
The good news was signalled by white smoke, which was emitted from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday (8 May) evening local time (9 May Singapore time).
Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube
New Pope elected during 4th vote of conclave
133 Roman Catholic cardinals from 70 countries, including Archbishop of Singapore William Goh, had been sequestered in a conclave since Wednesday (7 May) to decide on a new Pope.
However, this did not happen that day, with black smoke from the chimney indicating that a two-thirds majority had not been reached.
Source: Vatican News on YouTube
They returned on Thursday morning for two more votes, with black smoke still following.
It was only after the fourth vote on Thursday evening that white smoke emerged, to cheers from the jubilant crowd at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican City.
Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube
New Pope Leo XIV elected as first American pope
The election of the new Pope comes more than two weeks after the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on 21 April.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955 but lived in Peru for many years after being sent to the Augustinian mission there in 1985, according to Vatican News.
Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube
In 2015, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru. In 2023, he was transferred to Rome to be Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, also being promoted to Archbishop.
New Pope calls on Church to ‘build bridges’
In his first public speech, Pope Leo XIV started with, “Peace be with all of you.”
He paid tribute to his predecessor Francis, calling on the faithful to keep his “weak but always brave” voice in their ears.
Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube
He also urged the Church to “build bridges” and be “always open” to receiving everyone who needs charity and love “with open arms”.
Also read: MS Explains: Can a S’porean become Pope? How the Catholic Church picks its leader
MS Explains: Can a S’porean become Pope? How the Catholic Church picks its leader
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Featured image adapted from Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore on YouTube.
