By Yewo Munthali

Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: On Thursday, May 8th, 2025, a significant moment in the Catholic Church unfolded at the Vatican as 15,000 people gathered at St. Peter's Basilica to witness the unveiling of the new Pope.

The eager crowd waited for the white smoke to emerge from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the successful conclusion of the two-day Papal Conclave. Not long after the smoke filled the sky, the doors of the balcony opened to reveal the new head of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now to be known as Pope Leo XIV. This moment marked the beginning of his papacy.

In his first speech Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need to build bridges with dialogue. 

He said: " We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love."

He also thanked his fellow cardinals for electing him into the Papacy.

Pope Leo XIV also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who served the Catholic Church for 12 years until his passing on April 21, 2025.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the 69-year-old new pontiff makes history as the first American to hold the position. With this appointment, he will now lead a global Catholic community of approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide.