Papal conclave live updates: Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes 1st American pope

May 8, 3:31 PM

Joe Biden, 2nd Catholic president, congratulates pope

Former President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president and active churchgoer, issued a statement about Pope Leo on X.

“Habemus papam – May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois,” Biden wrote. “Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success.”

-ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim

May 8, 3:22 PM

Obama congratulates new Pope Leo

Former President Barack Obama shared his praise for Pope Leo in a tweet Thursday.

“Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith,” he said.

-ABC News’ Brittany Shepherd

May 8, 3:22 PM

‘The greatest moment in the history of the greatest city,’ Chicago mayor says

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Prevost’s selection “the greatest moment in the history of the greatest city,” highlighting that the new pope was “born in Chicago, educated in Chicago, came back and served this city.”

Johnson praised the new pope, saying he “recognizes and understands the value of immigration.” The last pope to be named Leo, XIII, was known as the “Pope of Labor,” and Johnson called Chicago the most pro-worker city in America.

Like the mayor, the new pope is reportedly a Chicago Cubs fan. Johnson said Chicagoans to tend to “take some partisanship,” as “everyone has to know exactly who to root for — but today, the world is rooting for Pope Leo.”

“Today is truly a remarkable day” for Chicago and the world, Johnson said.

May 8, 3:22 PM

Papal name Leo follows a line of ‘strong popes’

The Rev. Father Vito Crincoli told ABC News that the new pontiff’s name selection of Leo follows a line of “strong popes.”

“Leo XIII loved his people. He considered man not a machine. A man’s work was a reflection of his dignity. This pope, we don’t know this yet, but it would be really interesting to see why he took the name Leo,” Crincoli said.

Crincoli also noted Pope Leo, a native to the South Side of Chicago, “loves” the Cubs and deep dish pizza.

May 8, 3:26 PM

Trump touts ‘great honor’ of having American pope, claims having contact with Vatican

President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance outside the White House Thursday afternoon and was asked for his reaction to the first American being selected as pope.

“It’s such a great honor for our country to have an American pope, and what greater honor could there be?” he said. “We’re a little bit surprised but very happy.”

Trump added that he plans to meet with Pope Leo XIV, saying, “They have already spoken to us. We’ll see what happens.”

“But again, to have the pope from the United States of America — that’s a great honor,” he said.

May 8, 2:39 PM

Zelenskyy, Putin congratulate Pope Leo

Amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media, “Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex on his election to the See of Saint Peter and the beginning of his pontificate.”

“Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians,” Zelenskyy said. “At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace. I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration, and strength — both spiritual and physical — in carrying out his noble mission.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message to Pope Leo, “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Pope. I am confident that the constructive dialog and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us. I wish you, Your Holiness, success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being.”

May 8, 2:39 PM

Israeli president congratulates Pope Leo

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, saying he sends the new Pope his “warmest wishes from the Holy City of Jerusalem,” in a post on X.

“We look forward to enhancing the relationship between Israel and the Holy See, and strengthening the friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and around the world,” Herzog said.

Herzog added: “May your papacy be one of building bridges and understanding between all faiths and peoples. May we see the immediate and safe return of the hostages in Gaza, and a new era of peace in our region and around the world.”

-ABC News Jordana Miller

May 8, 2:25 PM

What to know about the 1st American pope

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has become the first-ever American elected as the leader of the Catholic Church — now known by his pontifical name of Pope Leo XIV.

The 69-year-old, born on the Southside of Chicago, is seen as a diplomat of the church and was an important adviser to his predecessor, Pope Francis.

He became a front-runner to the papacy in the days before the conclave began, said Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News.

Leo emerged from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening to throngs of cheering crowds, following the signal of white smoke that emanated from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel.

Leo is the fifth-most-popular name chosen by popes. Pope Leo XIV’s full authority and jurisdiction begins immediately upon his acceptance of the office.

May 8, 3:19 PM

Pope Leo XIV is a ‘very down-to-earth person’

The Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC, said he knows Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, describing him as “very-down-to-earth.”

Martin told ABC News the new pontiff is a “very kind person, very reserved.”

Martin previously said days before the conclave’s start that the American cardinal was a front-runner for the papacy.

May 8, 1:54 PM

Pope Leo XIV addresses crowd for first time as pontiff

Pope Leo XIV, American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has addressed thousands of people gathered in Vatican Square for the first time as pontiff.

Leo took a moment to take in the crowd after stepping onto the center balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his remarks.

“Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you,” Leo said in Italian. “This is the peace of the risen Christ.”

Leo asked the crowd to pray for the late Pope Francis and expressed gratitude to his predecessor — encouraging followers to continue Francis’ mission “for building bridges.”

“We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open, like this very piazza, welcoming,” Leo told the crowd.

The new pope also thanked the cardinals who elected him as Francis’ successor before reciting the “Hail Mary” prayer.

White smoke emerged fro the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel Thursday evening, signifying that the new pope had been elected.