Pope Leo to lead first holy mass in Sistine Chapel after paying surprise visit
Why you can trust Sky News
Pope Leo will lead his first holy mass as pontiff this morning - after already paying a surprise visit to see staff at his former residence.
Robert Prevost's life changed forever on Thursday when he went from being one of 252 cardinals to the first-ever American pope.
His was chosen after just four rounds of voting in the Sistine Chapel - a conclave that lasted just 25 hours.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born cardinal was not seen as a frontrunner but quickly secured the required two-thirds majority.
There was jubilation in St Peter's Square when white smoke emerged and about an hour later the Pope's identity was revealed when he stepped onto the balcony.
The choice of Leo is the first time the name has been used since Leo XII - the pope from 1878 to 1903.
1:25
Sky News understands one of the first things the new Pope did was greet staff at his former residence, Sant'Uffizio Palace, just outside the Vatican.
All eyes will now be on his first mass, when he and other cardinals return to the Sistine Chapel around 10am.
Pope Leo's first words as leader of 1.4 billion Catholics on Thursday evening were "may peace be with all of you".
3:21
His balcony speech also paid tribute to his predecessor - who only made him cardinal two years ago and brought him from Peru for a senior Vatican role.
"The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning. So let us follow up that blessing," said Leo.
He also called for a "church that builds bridges" and is "able to receive everybody that needs our charity, our presence, dialogue and love".
0:43
There has long been a taboo against a US pope - given the influence the country already has - but Leo was promoted as a "compromise candidate" ahead of conclave.
His many years as a missionary in Peru are also believed to have given him more universal appeal, especially among the cardinals from Central and South America.
President Donald Trump told reporters having an American in the role for the first time was a "great honour" - and Time magazine has already revealed its cover celebrating the moment.
However, the Pope appears to have taken issue with some of the Trump administration's views and policies.
His X account posted a link in February to an article criticising comments by the vice president entitled: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others".
In April, when President Trump met El Salvador's leader about using a notorious prison for suspected US gang members, he shared another post stating: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?"
'Pope played Wordle before conclave'
With many now waiting on the Pope's next public comments, his brothers have revealed their surprise when they saw him emerge in the white robes on TV.
Eldest brother Louis Prevost told Sky's US partner NBC News it was "mindblowing".
"When the cardinal came out and started to read his name, as soon as he went "raw" I knew he was gonna say 'Roberto' - and he did - and I just freaked out."
Mr Prevost added: "We've kind of known he was special, and we used to tease him about being pope when he was six years old and stuff."
The Pope's other brother said he had been in contact with him before conclave and joked about watching the hit film of the same name.
"I said did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave," John Prevost told NBC News.
"And he had just finished watching the movie so knew how to behave; so it's that kind of stuff because I wanted to take his mind off of it - because this is now an awesome responsibility."
He also revealed the brothers had played online puzzles Wordle and Words with Friends to take the Pope's mind off things in the run-up to the election.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Reuters
Putin tells new pope that Ukraine is bent on escalating conflict
MOSCOW, June 4 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Pope Leo for offering to help settle the Ukraine conflict and told him Kyiv is intent on "escalating" the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. A Kremlin statement said they spoke by phone but did not give a date. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the pope offered to host Russia-Ukraine negotiations at the Vatican. "Gratitude was expressed to the Pontiff for his readiness to help settle the crisis, in particular the Vatican's participation in resolving difficult humanitarian issues on a depoliticised basis," the statement said. Putin highlighted "that the Kyiv regime is banking on escalating the conflict and is carrying out sabotage against civilian infrastructure sites on Russian territory," the statement said, describing those acts as terrorism. The Kremlin restated that the conflict's "root causes" must be addressed, a reference to Russian demands that Ukraine adopt a neutral status and NATO rule out eastward expansion. Russia has sought to cultivate good ties with the new pope and his predecessor, Francis, especially on humanitarian issues, like family reunifications. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other officials have said the Vatican is not a suitable site for peace talks between two largely Orthodox Christian countries. The Kremlin noted progress at direct talks this week with Ukrainian negotiators on exchanging prisoners and returning the remains of servicemen. The Russian statement expressed hope the Vatican would "take a more active role" in calling for freedom of religion in Ukraine for members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has historic links to Russia. Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal proceedings against many of its clergy because of suspected sympathies for Moscow. A Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church has grown larger in Ukraine during the war.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Cesc Fabregas says he believes in ‘long-term' Como project amid links to Inter
Cesc Fabregas appeared to commit his future to Como amidst reports linking him with Inter Milan, stating he believes in the 'long-term project' at last season's Serie A newcomers. The former Arsenal and Spain midfielder guided the team to an impressive 10th-place finish in their first top-flight campaign for 21 years helped by a club-record six-match winning run between April and May. A first season in senior management for the 38-year-old ended with his reputation as a head coach significantly raised, reportedly catching the eye of Inter who are without a manager after Simone Inzaghi departed this week in the aftermath of Saturday's 5-0 Champions League final loss to Paris St Germain. 'I really believe in the Como project,' Fabregas said at the SXSW event taking place in London, as reported by La Gazzetta della Sport. 'I started with this club because I was thinking about a long-term project. I don't want to finish my career at a club where there's a project for one or two years and then everything ends.' Fabregas, who is a minority shareholder of the club, joined Como as a player in 2022 and played out the final year of his career with the club in Serie B. After retiring the following summer, he joined the coaching staff, briefly taking charge of the first team as caretaker after boss Moreno Longo was sacked. Welsh coach Osian Roberts took charge for the remainder of the promotion-winning season while Fabregas completed his UEFA coaching qualifications, with the World Cup and Champions League-winner taking over last summer. 'I really believe in Como's long-term project,' he said. 'I arrived here as a player and I'm very, very happy because I get to work in the way that I want. We have the same goals and the same ambition. 'The President allows me to work the way I want, the way I see things. Fortunately, we share the same vision and have the same goal, which is to go as far as possible. 'We've become a really good team together, in a small town, in a small club but with big, very big ambitions for the future.' Inter meanwhile have signed Croatia international Petar Sucic from Dinamo Zagreb. The midfielder, who has seven international caps, played last season on loan at Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar.
Reuters
13 hours ago
- Reuters
Hard to celebrate PSG's Champions League win over Italian colleagues, says Donnarumma
June 4 (Reuters) - Gianluigi Donnarumma found it difficult to celebrate Paris St Germain's Champions League win over Inter Milan with so many Italian teammates on the other side, the Italy keeper and captain said on Wednesday. Donnarumma was a spectator for much of Saturday's final in Munich, with PSG strolling to a 5-0 win, and after the final whistle was seen consoling Inter's shell-shocked players. The former AC Milan keeper has now joined up with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and Davide Frattesi at Italy's training camp ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and was asked what he said to them. "Nothing. There was a real heartfelt hug with those teammates after the game and I'm happy about that," Donnarumma told reporters. "I also struggled to enjoy the Champions League victory to the fullest because on the other side there were my brothers with whom I share a lot. "Here, we haven't spoken about that match, not even a few jokes. We only spoke about the next two games and giving everything together." Donnarumma, who has one year left on his PSG contract, has been linked with a move to Inter and was again asked about those media reports after his agent was seen at Inter's headquarters on Wednesday morning. "I didn't know he was at Inter, I'm fine in Paris and the club will decide on the renewal or not," Donnarumma said. "I'm ready for anything, but now my first option is Paris because I'm fine, the fans love me and the team loves me. I hope to stay there for many years." Donnarumma has not always convinced Italian fans and media, despite his penalty shootout saves leading to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, with the keeper often criticised for errors. Now, however, he feels he is in the best form of his career, and a lot of that is down to PSG manager Luis Enrique. "When you return to your own country and you're not welcomed as you deserve, it's not easy," Donnarumma said. "Now I'm happy to have found confidence, balance and mentality. I am happy to have convinced all Italians. "With Luis Enrique I found balance on everything. He gave me a lot especially on a mental level." Italy begin their qualifying campaign in Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday, having failed to reach the last two World Cups.
