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The New Pope's First Speech
Pope Leo XIV addressed the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City today, Thursday, in his first public statement after his election as Pope: "Peace be upon you all."
He also called on the first American pope in history to "build bridges" through "dialogue," urging everyone to "move forward without fear, united, hand in hand with God, and with one another."
American Cardinal Robert Prevlost was elected by the cardinals from around the world to become the first American to hold this position.
Prevlost is considered a prominent figure in the global Catholic Church, and the new pope chose the name **Leo XIV**.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1955.
Earlier on Thursday, white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney in Vatican City, signaling that the conclave of cardinals had elected a new pope to lead the Catholic Church.
