Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!

The College of Cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV (former Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago), the first pope from the United States, on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The crowd in Rome rejoiced with applause and cheers as the white smoke ascended from the Sistine Chapel's chimney.

Here's the White Smoke video below:

Social media users rejoiced over the election news. Countless accounts published their anticipation of the new pope's announcement on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica.

Here's how some users reacted to the new pope's election:

CatholicVote published a video of high school students reacting to the white smoke.

"Young Catholics are excited about their faith," the CatholicVote post reads. "John Carroll Catholic High School reacts to the white smoke."

Saint Mary's Catholic School in Colorado also cheered as the new pope was elected. After the announcement of Pope Leo XIV, students chanted "USA" during their watch party.

Bishop Robert Barron wrote, "Friends, please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving for the cardinal electors, and for our new pope as he prepares to step out on the balcony."

Sister Miriam James said, "Waiting with the world…epic moment for us all!"

The Knights of Columbus wrote,

"Habemus Papam!

White smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the cardinal-electors have chosen a new pope. In just a few short moments, the name of the next successor of St. Peter will be announced, and a new chapter in the life of the Church will begin.

Behind this moment is a sacred process: days of prayer and discernment, centuries-old traditions, and the solemn oaths of secrecy that preserve the integrity of the conclave. As Knights of Columbus, we stand in prayerful solidarity with the universal Church, giving thanks for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Let us now unite in hope and prayer for the man who has accepted this profound call—to shepherd over a billion Catholics and serve as Christ’s visible representative on earth."

Before the white smoke announcement, Father Ronald Vierling commented that May 8, the feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael, "is a great day to select a new pope."

Along with a photo of the prayer to Saint Michael, Father Vierling wrote, "Today’s traditional feast of the Apparition of St. Michael, Guardian of the Holy Roman Church, is a great day to select a new pope."

ChurchPOP's Caroline Perkins also published her live reaction to the pope's election.

"Just a group of Catholic moms (neighbors!) and our many children witnessing history together," Perkins wrote. "This is the shortened version of our reaction to the election of the first American pope!"

Hundreds of users reacted to EWTN's announcement of white smoke.

Here's what some users told EWTN:

"May our new Shepherd bring us closer to God! Rest in Peace, Papa Francis," one Instagram user said.

"Please, God, give us a holy, godly, God-fearing, faithful Catholic," another user commented.

"Blessed be the Lord! May this Pope walk the narrow path in faith and with our prayers!" someone else said.

"Glory to God in the highest!" another user added.

Let us pray for our newly elected pope, Pope Leo XIV!

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