Pope Leo XIV: From Chicago to the Vatican, a humble journey to the papacy

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. [AFP]

The 133 cardinals elected the new pope on Thursday evening, the second day of the conclave held behind the sealed doors of the Sistine Chapel since 1492.

On that evening, the world stopped for a moment with their gaze directed towards the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica to see who would emerge. Then Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost - who we later came to know as Leo XIV - walked onto the balcony.