Between jubilation and wrangling: How the faithful react to Pope Leo XIV

Shortly before 6 pm in St Peter's Square, tens of thousands have gathered. But the first cheers and applause are not for the new pontiff (who is not even known at this point), but for an unusual star on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, right next to the most famous chimney in the world - a seagull. And then, at 6.07 pm, an even louder, uninterrupted cheer as the white smoke rose for several minutes.

An hour later, when Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti appeared on the loggia of St Peter's Basilica, uttered the legendary words "Habemus papam" and announced the name of the American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the cheering grew even louder. People applauded, sang and shouted "Viva il papa" over and over again. With the announcement of his papal name - Leo XIV - the enthusiasm reached its peak. People chanted "Papa Leone, Papa Leone", especially when the new pope finally appeared on the loggia and waved to everyone in tears.

The faithful and pilgrims in St Peter's Square were largely delighted with the election of the first pope from the United States - especially those pilgrims from the USA. One nun told katholisch.de that although she did not know much about him, she would pray for the new Pope: "We have no other choice, but it is also our duty to pray for him." Another woman remarked: "Many names have been thrown around these days, but no one expected him."

A clergyman just a few metres away emphasised: "The Catholic Church needs a self-confident pope. He will lead the Church into a new era." His priest colleague expressed the hope that Leo XIV would remain in the line of his predecessor Francis: "He has to be, after all Francis elevated him to cardinal," he added. Others with whom katholisch.de spoke on the square emphasised how much Pope Leo XIV mentioned his predecessor in his first address, spoke of peace and ultimately also emphasised synodality.

A pope's name with a signal effect

Robert Francis Prevost as Leo XIV is the first American to head the Catholic Church. Under Pope Francis, the 69-year-old headed the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops - something like the personnel department of the universal church. In this key position, he has been responsible for bishop appointments worldwide for the past two years. Previously, he was the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and second Vice President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, which was polarised by church politics, before Francis brought him to the Vatican.

Leo XIV spoke impressively about peace at the opening on Thursday evening when he addressed the crowd. "Peace be with you all," he said. "I hope that this greeting of peace will reach all nations and all people." Whenever Pope Leo XIV referred to the recently deceased Francis in his speech, applause and cheers erupted. The hope for a pope who would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor was palpable. The hope was that Leo XIV would be a pope similar to Francis, said an elderly gentleman who tried to take a photo in the middle of the crowd - until his smartphone finally gave up the ghost. Shrugging his shoulders, he pointed to his granddaughter, who had eagerly snapped photos - enough for the whole family.

US Jesuit James Martin had already explained to katholisch.de a few days ago that the name of a pope could well be programmatic for the Church. Leo XIII, whose successor Prevost is now, was an outstanding figure for the Church and the age of mass media. He founded Catholic social teaching with his encyclical "Rerum Novarum". And he understood the importance of the technical innovations of his time, especially the media: Leo XIII was the first pope whose voice has been preserved on tape - and who allowed himself to be filmed.

In the moving images from 1896, the elderly Pope, who appears somewhat unsure of the camera, can be seen on a carriage ride through the Vatican Gardens, repeatedly asked by his entourage to give signs of blessing in the direction of the camera. He went down in history as the first "media pope". Will Leo XIV follow a similar path? If he continues what Francis has started, he could indeed build on the legacy of his namesake and predecessor. At least he didn't seem unsure at the start.