Above: Crowds cheer in St. Peter's Square as white smoke emerges from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican May 8, 2025, indicating Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, was elected pope. The new pope was born in Chicago. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When white smoke came pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica started pealing, people who had been relaxing at cafes or sitting in the shade went running or quickly walking toward St. Peter's Square.
"Hurry! Get over here! It's happening!" one young man shouted into his phone, smiling as he sprinted down the street.
"Who knows who it will be," a mom said to her young child squirming in a stroller.
Hundreds of pilgrims who had been prayerfully processing toward the basilica's Holy Door stopped dead in their tracks, cameras and phones out, filming the smoking chimney and the bells.
A group of German students from Berlin who were in Rome for a Latin course were on a tour inside the dome of the basilica when their teacher said, "It's white smoke; we have to go back downstairs," Oliva Held told Catholic News Service May 8.
"But here we are with the best seat in the house," her classmate, Friederike Guckes said, glancing at their position in the very front of St. Peter's Square.
Vatican employees and officials, even several cardinals over the age of 80 -- therefore not part of the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV -- gathered in a large section in the front of the square. Among them were Cardinals Seán P. O'Malley, the retired archbishop of Boston; Donald W. Wuerl, the retired archbishop of Washington; and Marc Ouellet, retired prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Even the Italian woman who always brought Pope Francis yellow flowers was given a spot in the VIP section.
For the hour that passed from the time the smoke ended, and the new pope was announced to the world, people in the square chanted "Habemus papam" and "Via il papa" ("Long live the pope"). Some even started shouting the last name of the cardinal they thought had been chosen, such as "Viva Parolin!" and Viva Zuppi!" -- two Italians who were considered favorites.
When Vatican cameras zoomed in on a group of people or on the myriad colorful flags on display, the people cheered with excitement. One camera on a crane even caught folks on "the peripheries," those who were still on the far end of the square.
When the curtain behind the central balcony parted at 7:13 p.m., the crowd erupted into cheers then quickly hushed to hear French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announce the name.
While most did not recognize the U.S. cardinal's name: Robert Francis Prevost, people loved his choice of Pope Leo.
When the new pope appeared at the balcony, he was welcomed by chants and cheers of his new name in Italian, "Leone! Leone!" The pope was visibly moved and tears showed in his eyes on the big screens. "Is he crying? He's crying! Such a dear!" one woman said.
"We are so happy to have a Pope Leo the 14th," Carlo Distante told CNS. "After having Pope Francis, we feel confirmed in the faith, and to hear the new pope talk about building bridges and peace and synodality, we are so moved."
Emiliano Rios from Guadalajara, Mexico, told CNS, "I am so excited. I really liked his speech and being a church for everyone."
"I have really high hopes for this pope. And it's another one from our continent!" of the Americas, he said.
Thomas Evans from Libertyville, Illinois, was thrilled the new pope was from Chicago.
"He was very involved with a lot of the Catholic churches around the Chicago area," he told CNS. "I'm from the suburbs, and so he'd be very generous and come to a lot of the Masses around the area. I wish I knew him personally, but I don't. But I'm just very, very, very happy that he's from Chicago and I'm here to witness this."
Guilaine, a young woman from France, was happy to hear Pope Leo's emphasis on peace, "especially in these times where the world's a bit confusing. I liked what he said, and he is giving good hope."
Brazilian seminarian Brother Caíto, who is studying at Rome's Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University, told CNS that because the pope is an Augustinian, "we know that he has the experience of community life."
"We know that he has passed through many countries, speaks many languages and that he is a man who is going to give continuity to Francis," Brother Caíto said. "And we know that he would look after the good of the church and peace in the world as he said in his message."
"We hope and pray very much for him so that he may be a shepherd according to the heart of Jesus," the seminarian added.
Contributing to this story was Junno Arocho Esteves at the Vatican.