New pope revealed
Rachel Mealey: The world has a new pope and for the first time he's an American. Robert Francis Prevost has been elected pope after a two-day conclave of cardinals. He's chosen the name Leo XIV. Europe correspondent Elias Clure was in the crowd in St Peter's Square when it happened.
Elias Clure: In the air, white smoke pours from the Sistine Chapel's chimney. On the ground, applause and cheers erupt from thousands in the waiting crowd. Some jumped for joy while others cried and prayed to the sky as they celebrated the election of a new pope.
Tourist 1: To be here and see the history unfold, it's huge.
Tourist 2: The chances are so slim that you'd be there for that moment and it was wonderful. We hugged one another immediately. I just felt, I felt we won the lotto.
Tourist 3: I love it, I love it.
Elias Clure: The images were beamed around the world to millions watching live broadcasts.
News Report: Smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel chimney. This is breaking news. We have a new Pope. The Sistine Chapel chimney has signalled white smoke at eight minutes past five this evening.
Elias Clure: The white smoke signalled one cardinal had managed to secure at least 89 votes among the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave. An hour later, the world learned who that winner was.
Elias Clure: We have a new Pope, the Latin announcement said, before the victor emerged on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica. The 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church is Robert Francis Prevost from the United States. He's chosen the papal name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV: La pace sia con tutti voi. Fratelli, sorelle, carissimi. Peace be with you all. Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I too would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, to all people everywhere, to all the earth. Peace be with you.
Elias Clure: The election of Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the US, came after three rounds of voting.
Pope Leo XIV: We must seek together now how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges and dialogue, one that's open to receive as this square with open arms to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.
Elias Clure: The previous Pope, Francis, died last month after ruling the 1.4 billion member church for 12 years. Now a new era with a new leader at the helm.
Rachel Mealey: Elias Clure there in Rome.
And Elias joined me a short time ago from St Peters Square. Elias, tell us about the atmosphere there today. Firstly, when that white smoke rose from the chimney.
Elias Clure: Well it was quite extraordinary. All eyes had been fixed on that little chimney above the Sistine Chapel for almost two days. And just started at 6:09pm that white smoke billowed from that little flue and the reaction from the crowd was one of shock. I don't think people expected it to come so soon. But it did and then this huge roar when through the Vatican. It was quite extraordinary to witness it. Then for about an hour, people didn't know who it was but at that time Robert Provost had been congratulated by the 132 other voting cardinals. He was fitted in his papal robes and into the Room of Tears where he's supposedly supposed to feel the weight of responsibility that's been bestowed upon him. And then he came onto that iconic closure at St Peters and greeted tens of thousands of people who roared when they heard those ancient words - we have a new pope. People here really had a sense that they were part of history. And Elias, what do we know about the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church?
Rachel Mealey: And Elias, what do we know about the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church?
Elias Clure: We know he comes from the Augustinian side of the church. He's a 69-year-old American. A missionary. He moved to Peru when he was 30. He's now a very senior member of the Curia, the Vatican's Administration. He was a close confidant of Pope Francis and this is seen as many Vatican insiders as continuity. Continuing the legacy of Pope Francis who was seen as a more progressive pope. It's known that Pope Leo is a progressive on some issues, perhaps more conservative on others. But interestingly, just before the conclave began, the College of Cardinals met and released a statement that they were looking to continue the reforms, the more progressive reforms of Pope Francis. And this is perhaps a clear indication that they intended to do.
Rachel Mealey: Elias Clure there in St Peters Square.
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