White smoke today

It would be a cool time to be there.

From the 'being there' standpoint, yes. We were at the Vatican a month ago today, and it was sardine city. By far the most crowded I had ever seen it. St. Peter's is body-to-body right now. No, thank you. And this opinion is purely personal, and hopefully not blasphemous...

What I would like to observe would be all over Roma itself, the topic of conversation, where the cardinals are dining (if they're getting out!), the overall vibe. That's what I would like to see...

New pope is an American, Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago. Sounds like name may be Pope Leo

The BBC ran a little article about where the Cardinals were dining prior to the Conclave. The main focus of the article though was what they were not allowed to eat once the Conclave started, food items that could conceal messages on the inside or to the outside.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250430-the-secrets-of-feeding-the-papal-conclave

The first American pope. Interesting....

Pope Leo XIV.

The crowds are so jubilant -- it is quite something to see. Even the Cardinals on the balcony look full of joy !!

Interesting, an American pope who took Peruvian citizenship

The coverage broke into the Victory in Europe ceremony coverage here.

Kim, I also read that he's a polyglot, which I'm sure will be helpful for him.

An interesting restaurant in Rome run entirely by nuns is https://www.restaurant-eauvive.it/. We’ve eaten there twice with our students. I was so surprised to hear Stanley Tucci mention it as a place where he dined last year when he was in Rome for the filming of The Conclave. The food is basic but prepared and served with joy by a contingent of international nuns. Reservations recommended.

Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago

He chose the name Pope Malört I

-- Mike Beebe

Kim, I also read that he's a polyglot, which I'm sure will be helpful
for him.

You sort of have to be to be pope. It's very hard to imagine a pope that doesn't speak Italian. Pope John Paul II spoke 15 languages.

Pope Leo XlV!

Chicago Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost wasn’t on any of the shortlists I read in the news of those thought to be contenders.

Rome will be introduced to the joys of Chicago style pizza

And that is a good thing!

Prevost was on the short list of some of the analyses I was hearing, however always with the caveat, "except he's American"

American by birth, but a citizen of Peru. And impeccable credentials. No doubt his years of work in South America, and his position as a titular cardinal head of a dicastery, rather than bishop of an American diocese, made him much more acceptable to the College of Cardinals.

Dual citizen.

Some local excitement! He is "known" by a number of Chicago-ans for one reason or another.

Villanova sweatshirts going to be the hot ticket item now?

Chicago Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost wasn’t on any of the
shortlists I read in the news of those thought to be contenders.

He was mentioned here: https://time.com/7282843/next-pope-candidates-zuppi-parolin-tagle-turkson-erdo/

I already saw a meme with two photos:

One with Villanova men's basketball players celebrating their victory as NCAA champions

One of Pope Leo XIV

And a huge number ONE

And the legend

"One....schools with a national championship and a Pope"

hahahahahahaha well played, Villanova !!!

Question for the Catholics amongst you?
I was reading up on what might go into a new pope's choice of name.
As they say that this newest Leo wasn't a frontrunner, do most of the attending Cardinals go into Conclave with a papal name in their back pockets just in case? I wouldn't think once elected that they have a lot of time to think about it?

I sure wish our beloved, departed Zoe was here for this sort of stuff!

An American has never been pope, and that is not likely to change anytime soon. Nonetheless, Prevost, 69, who served as head of Francis’s main advisory group on picking new Bishops, ( The Dicastery for Bishops, formerly named Congregation for Bishops) benefits from broad name recognition that could give him an edge in a large group of electors with little common ground. Born in Chicago to a family with Italian, French, and Spanish roots, Prevost was dubbed “The least American of the Americans” by Vatican correspondent Iacopo Scaramuzzi in the influential Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Prevost served as a missionary in Peru for the early part of his career, before moving on to leadership positions in the Vatican, a range of experiences that solidify his credentials as a teacher, statesman, and governor.

From the link provided by Badger

do most of the attending Cardinals go into Conclave with a papal name in their back pockets just in case?

OK, with the caveat that I've never had the honour of a conversation with a cardinal, we have a few friends who are priests. You need to understand that cardinals are very learned men with a thorough, even exhaustive, understanding of church history and doctrine. They choose the name of a pope, or series of pope's who epitomized the values and strengths the new Pope hopes to follow. Or in the case of Francis, go outside the box and choose a saint's name for the same reason. Leo was likely because of the emphasis on social justice.

I'm just really excited about it. I have high hopes for this pope. Plus we were both born in the same year, so I think that's a good omen. ;-) And I think it's pretty interesting that he has an X account, and has posted his opinion in the past about a few statements made by the VP.

I am feeling so hopeful about him. From all I have read today, he is very much who the world needs right now. I was so sad when Pope Francis passed bc of his beliefs and dedication to the least amongst us. Pope Leo XIV has spent most of his ministry as a missionary serving the poor in Peru. Promoting social justice has been a huge part of his life. I am so grateful that the college of Cardinals selected him. To have an American who is decent and honest and good be in the world’s focus is a really welcomed feeling, especially right now.

In case anyone is interested, I just read this article from the New York Times about his genealogical background. It’s quite diverse. He truly has a multicultural family history. Article is unlocked.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/pope-leo-creole-new-orleans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.F08.vgjd.BhXyjnls_NyU&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

And Mustlovedogs, I wholeheartedly agree.

And I think it's pretty interesting that he has an X account, and has posted his opinion in the past about a few statements made by the VP

That immediately came to mind when I read who had become Pope. I don't have an X account, but of course I heard about his statement. It gives me hope, too, I must say, and I'm not even Catholic.

But the newspapers in the US didn't have the headline 'We are Pope,' did they? That's what happened in Germany when Benedict became Pope :-)

One with Villanova men's basketball players celebrating their victory as NCAA champion

This is incorrect. The University of Florida is the NCAA men's basketball champion. Villanova last won it in 2018.

The only English language TV news channel offered by my hotel here in Prague is France 24. Their "expert" was surprised to see an American win it as they never thought there would be a Pope from a superpower. However, he said, Prevost was seen as the "least American" of the American cardinals.

Of course, had he come from St. Louis, the media would have a headline field day.

Their "expert" was surprised to see an American win it as they never thought there would be a Pope from a superpower.

I find this statement from the 'expert' totally strange. The Church itself is a superpower. But I think many people would have thought that the next pope would come from a part of the world where Catholicism is widespread and growing stronger like Africa for example. But I still like the decision because I think it's a statement. A statement that not everyone will like, that's for sure. But that's just my personal opinion.

The US ranks fourth in the world in number of Catholics after Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines.

The US ranks fourth in the world in number of Catholics after Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines.

My focus here is on 'Catholicism is growing strong in Africa'.

That would have been a strong statement as well. Of course, a different statement than now. Although I doubt that cardinals are actually making a statement with their election, as I understand making statements. But maybe they are. I don't know.

They choose the name of a pope, or series of pope's who epitomized the
values and strengths the new Pope hopes to follow.

Thanks, CJean. That's what I was taking from the reading I'd been doing too; it was the speed of getting to a particular name I was wondering about. But as you said, with a lifetime of knowledge of church history, it would make sense that the new guy could get to an immediate decision without a lot of pondering.

While not being particularly religious these days, I am hopeful for uplifting messaging from this new leader of the Catholic faith as well. In particular, as you put it, Mustlovedogs, compassion for and care of the "least of these." It is sickening to read some of the comments from certain individuals whose values are clearly not in keeping with what many of us were taught long ago in Sunday school.

Chicago still is a big Catholic enclave. From the Irish and Polish settlers in earlier centuries to the Latin American communities today. Not to mention there are at least two famous universities there. Loyola and DePaul-Go Blue Demons! It's always good when Chicago makes the news for a good reason:)

And yes, it's a bit interesting they picked a man who has been publicly critical of Trump/Vance. I doubt this had anything to do with how the voting went but an interesting aside.

it was the speed of getting to a particular name I was wondering about

I was thinking about that yesterday, too. I read that many cardinals already know which pope's name they would choose if elected. And I also read that there always seem to be candidates among the cardinals who have a better chance of becoming pope and who are also aware of their chances. Part of the whole secret I would say.

Pope names repeat as they prefer to choose a name from the list of their predecessors, so it is not likely that much time is spent thinking. From 1800 only 7 names were used for 17 popes, and this only because pope Francis used an original name, a thing had not been done for eleven centuries. Take out also Gregory XVI and there are 5 names for 15 popes...

Yes, names for the pope do repeat but they still choose them with some consideration for what they did. Heather Cox Richardson, a historian, posted this morning, writing:

New popes choose a papal name to signify the direction of their papacy, and Prevost has chosen to be known as Pope Leo XIV. This is an important nod to Pope Leo XIII, who led the church from 1878 to 1903 and was the father of modern Catholic social teaching. He called for the church to address social and economic issues, and emphasized the dignity of individuals, the common good, community, and taking care of marginalized individuals.

I think the name matters. And Pope Leo is smart enough to know he could have taken a new name if he wanted. There is certainly no law saying he can't, and the practice has not been around since the beginning.

But the newspapers in the US didn't have the headline 'We are Pope,' did they? That's what happened in Germany when Benedict became Pope :-)

Ha ha ha!!! Leave it to the Germans to take the title along with the pope!!!

I thought it was interesting that one of his brothers growing up called him ”pope” when he was 6 years old! He had a certain quality that prompted this nickname. Wow! I am not a Catholic but I was so encouraged when Pope Francis took the name of Francis to signify his humility. And now Pope Leo XIV hopefully will continue the church’s service to the poor and marginalized.

I read in a couple of articles that he is (or was, anyway) just 'Bob' to longtime friends.
Pope Bob would have had sort of a nice ring to it.

This is incorrect. The University of Florida is the NCAA men's basketball champion. Villanova last won it in 2018.

Yes, it was a historical photo and a reference to a past championship. They weren't claiming they had won the championship this year.

If your school has a natty in your history, you have a natty. Just because that year is over and someone new is that year's champion, you don't forget that you had a championship season.

Did anyone see the brief interview with his older (by one year) brother? He said that they talked shortly before the announcement, and mostly talked about playing Wordle, lol! He also mentioned to his brother that he had watched The Conclave and liked it. :-)

This is the coolest thing about a Pope from the US. Unlike the others, we have all this interesting information about him at our fingertips. :-)

I was in Rome yesterday for this! And we had our Scavi tour too! Totally amazing day. We made our travel plans in December.
I'm shocked they didn't cancel the Scavi tour during the Conclave but they didn't.
We flew home today. A trip of a lifetime!

Thanks for the personal update, Angie1010. A wonderful experience!