Video Shows Pope Leo XIV Appears on St. Peter’s Basilica’s Balcony, Greets World for First Time

• Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected pontiff, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 8, to deliver his first Urbi et Orbi blessing
• The Vatican confirmed via a now trending video shared on its official website on X, a moment after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope by 133 cardinals
• White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, signaling the successful election of the new pope, leading to celebrations in St. Peter’s Square and across the world

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Vatican City, Rome - History was made on Thursday, May 8, as Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking his first appearance as the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Dressed in the traditional white and red papal vestments, he greeted a jubilant crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square and granted his Urbi et Orbi blessing.

This significant moment followed the rise of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel shortly after 6:00pm on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals inside had elected a new pontiff.

The Vatican confirmed this development in a post shared on its official website on X on Thursday, identifying Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Successor of St. Peter.

"Pope Leo XIV greets the world for the first time to grant his Urbi et Orbi blessing. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th Successor of Peter by the 133 Cardinal electors on Thursday, May 8."

In a video shared by Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the faithful for the first time as the 267th Pope.

Many react to Pope Leo XIV appears on St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony

Legit.ng compiled a few reactions from the comment section on X below;

@UnfurledTimes tweeted:

"Trump delivered!

@BeardedPriest1 tweeted:

"Why didn’t you elect Cardinal Serah is it because he is black?"

@unwokecanada tweeted:

"Emotional (normal), but didn't bless the crowd once."

@thefrogcoffee tweeted:

"But basically he is just Francis the 2nd?"

@Natgkio tweeted:

"May he succeed. First American Pope. Imagine Trump + Pope what they can accomplish."

@RAC_33_714 tweeted:

"God Bless Pope Leo IV."

Watch the video as Pope Leo XIV greets world for first time below;

Meanwhile, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope, becoming the first pontiff from the United States.

Prevost’s background as a missionary in Peru and his close ties to Pope Francis influenced his selection by the College of Cardinals.

Legit.ng compiled some interesting facts about the 267th Pontiff, who now leads the the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and head of the Vatican.

Read more about the new pope here:

• "As a firm believer": Peter Obi breaks silence over election of US cardinal as new pope
• Nigerians massively react as American cardinal becomes new pope: "It will never be a black"

Trump reacts to emergence of new pope

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has reacted to the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.

The US president, in his reaction, said he was surprised that Prevost would be the American to be elected into the prestigious position.

Trump said he was excited about the development and described it as a great honour for the country.

Source: Legit.ng