By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 2103 EAT on Thursday 8 May 2025

Tge new pope has just addressed the square here in confident Italian, switching to Spanish briefly at the end when thanking his former diocese in Peru.

“I would like this greeting of peace to reach all your hearts and families… and people around the world. May peace be with you,” Pope Leo XIV began as the square fell silent.

At other moments, his address was met with frequent warm applause, especially when the new Pope mentioned peace and the late Pope Francis.

He also insisted on the need for unity, and at the end asked everyone to join together in prayer.

When he began reciting Ave Maria, a deep hum rose as the square followed suit, with some signing in their own languages.

Pope Leo has just finished speaking from the balcony above St Peter’s Square – see these striking images of his address

Going into conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost was thought of by observers as a candidate who could fulfil that role – someone who could be a bridge between different worlds.

The fact the conclave came to a decision in just four rounds of voting suggests the cardinals agreed with that assessment.

As he concludes the reading with a further blessing, Pope Leo XIV waves at the crowd that is now filling in most of St Peter’s Square.

People are still cheering, with a Carabinieri military police band playing in the background as the new Pope looks on

After concluding his speech, the new Pope starts reading a religious passage in Latin paying homage to the saints and the Madonna.

More lines from the new pope, who continues with a message of peace as he notes “God loves us all, unconditionally”.

He pays tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, as he says he wants to deliver his own blessing to the people as Pope Francis did in his last appearance in St Peter’s Square.

The newly elected, Chicago-born pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, is now on the front balcony to deliver his first speech.

Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, 69-year-old says: “Peace be with all of you.

Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.

A papal tapestry is unfurled and draped over the edge of the balcony as cardinals gather on the left and right sides of the balcony, looking out over the crowd in St Peter’s Square.

The crowd cheers and starts chanting after hearing the announcement that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been voted as the new pope.

We’re now all waiting for Prevost to appear on the balcony, with the crowd continuing to make noise and wave flags in anticipation.

The doors on the balcony have opened.

Stick with us as we bring you all the live updates from the balcony.

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