'Did he just say Prevost?': St Peter's Square stunned by first American Pope, Leo XIV
Diarmuid Pepper
in Rome
ABOUT FIVE MINUTES before the white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, I was sitting in the shade, out of eyesight of the famous chimney.
I felt a knot in my stomach – I had come all this way and missed the famous white smoke.
However, it was a false alarm and when the real thing happened, I was as ready as could be.
We have a pope! Habemus papam!
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/SRGLyACsk4
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
Noise erupted in the Square, babies were hoisted into the air, and applause rose up.
It was then over an hour before the new pope came to the central balcony of the Basilica.
'Is it Tagle?' asked one person, in reference to one of the media's front-runners, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, dubbed the 'Asian Francis'.
'I think it's Zuppi,' said a priest, in reference to Matteo Zuppi.
Us Irish are everywhere and beside me I heard an Irish accent.
As we awaited the new pope from the central balcony, he told me that it felt 'spiritual' to see the white smoke.
Just moments after the white smoke, I bumped into an Irishman! He says he's not a devout Catholic but was straight on the phone to mam back at home!
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/cVaABID98d
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
'I wouldn't class myself as a once-a-week Mass goer, but my mother is and the first thing I did was give her a quick ring and say, 'Ma, turn on your camera on WhatsApp so I can show you the smoke.
'It's just overwhelming and absolutely fabulous and a once-in-a-lifetime for somebody not from here.
'It's something that you have to tick off on your bucket list.'
He remarked that whoever emerged from the balcony would 'have his work cut out for him'.
'The time we are in, hopefully he can unite the people and bring some kind of peace to this world.'
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti then emerged to say the famous 'Habemus papam' – 'we have a pope' in Latin.
He then announced that it was a
Cardinal by the name of Robert Prevost who was elected to the office.
'Did he just say Prevost?' asked one person.
Advertisement
Cardinal Mamberti then announced papal name, Leo XIV.
'Did he say Leo?'
No one, including myself, seemed to know who he was – the name of Cardinal Robert Prevost didn't appear on any list of 'papabile' that I had read.
However, some young Americans close to me seemed to know the score after looking him up on their phone.
'He's spent a lot of time working in Peru.'
I spoke to them after Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, had went back into St Peter's.
These American guys beside me were able to give me a crash course on Leo XIV!
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/t1xyVuIhkP
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
'He wasn't a name that we were expecting at all,' said one of the men. 'But he's a name we're very happy to hear.'
The other man remarked that he came for the current Jubilee Year within the Church and did not expect to be here in Rome for a conclave.
He also didn't expect it to end so soon.
'I was expecting it to go on maybe into next week, so it's really crazy to be here for the new pope.'
When the new pope went back inside St Peter's Basilica, everyone with an American flag found themselves mobbed by the media.
A brief snippet of how popular with USA flags were after the election of the first American Pope, Leo XIV
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/BWFApE465o
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
I myself grabbed a quick word with Andrea Gallardo from Texas.
'I don't speak Italian but when the people around me told me he was American, I was just so excited.
'I was like, 'oh my God', just knowing that our new pope is from the same place as I am is just very exciting.'
Spoke to Angela from Texas just after Leo XIV went back inside the Vatican
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/riC3bZrOvI
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
She said she never heard of Cardinal Prevost as being a front-runner and that she assumed one of those named as a front-runner would become pope.
'But when I found out that it was actually an American pope, I was like, 'okay, this is crazy'.'
She said she was 'born and raised Catholic' and so it was special to be there for the white smoke and to see the first American pope.
Related Reads
'Praying we get the right pope for the right time': The Irish camping out in St Peter's Square
The black smoke caught everyone off guard, including ourselves and an ex-US presidential hopeful
Irish archbishop who heads abuse investigations says tackling crisis will top next pope's agenda
Andrea Gallardo from Texas posting outside St Peter's Square with an American flag after Pope Leo XIV appeared
Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal
Diarmuid Pepper / The Journal / The Journal
Meanwhile, Vatican observers on either side of the political divide are trying to stake their claim.
Some call him a liberal, while others enjoyed the fact that he wore more traditional papal attire, perhaps a nod to a return to traditionalism and away from the progressivism of Francis.
The moment Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Leo XIV, the first American pope, appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Square
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/pN96xrDZCC
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
And once the crowds had started to disperse, I met more Irish people in the Square.
Father Mark English, a priest in Co Meath, was joined by Aifric and Roisin.
Fr English was thankfully on hand to deliver a crash course in who the new pope is.
More Irish reaction from St Peter's Square!
@thejournal_ie
pic.twitter.com/EsZfK6GcxN
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9)
May 8, 2025
He said it was extraordinary to be in the Square and noted that Leo XIV was an Augustinian priest and a missionary priest in South America.
He was also a Bishop in Peru and headed the Augustinian Order in Rome, and was also appointed by Francis to the body that oversees who is chosen as a bishop.
'He certainly was a man that was going to be in the reckoning if they were looking for a compromise candidate,' said Fr English.
However, when it was put to Fr English that Leo XIV is a 'liberal', he shook his head and instead described him as a 'unifying pope, who will bring everyone together'.
'He is a steady man to continue on the onward journey, with the inspiration of the previous popes as well.'
Meanwhile, Roisin said she organised to come over for the conclave with other young Catholics from Ireland 'to see the global Church in action', while Aifric said 'there was a real sense of excitement and joy' throughout.
'At one point we're looking at a little baby bird being fed and then the next thing you know, the smoke is coming out and everyone is going crazy and the bells start to ring.'
And as for the man himself, he opened with 'peace be with you'.
A Vatican spokesperson said this was in keeping with the Easter message, as these were the first words the Risen Jesus said to the disciples, according to John's Gospel, when he found them in hiding following his crucifixion.
He added: 'God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail.'
He also thanked Francis, as well as the cardinals who elected him.
And in a nod to Francis,
who began the historic Synod on Synodality, Leo XIV called for remarked that he wants a 'synodal Church'.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I felt and feel lucky', says Ryan Tubridy as he reveals romantic way he popped the question to fiance Clare
RYAN Tubridy has revealed the romantic way he popped the question to his fiance Dr Clare Kambamettu. The 2 Ryan Tubridy proposed to his long-term partner Clare during a romantic getaway Credit: Terrie Burton Noir Photique 2 The radio host has opened up about the proposal Credit: Getty Images - Getty The pair have since kept the inner details of their love under wraps and while Ryan hadn't planned on revealing the news just yet, he was forced to come clean after a jewellers let it slip that he had visited their store. The radio host, who shared the news with his listeners on Tuesday, has now revealed how he carefully planned the romantic proposal to his long-term partner. Writing in his Mail on Sunday column, he said: "I don't want to give all the details but I do want to share a few moments because some people were enormously helpful along the way." READ MORE ON RYAN TUBRIDY Ryan explained that he had always planned to buy the ring in Clifden, an area which him and Clare both love and where the local jewellers has been a long-standing family run business. He explained: "I've also been preaching about shopping local for years so I wasn't going to Tiffany's… I called Jonty Daly in O'Dalaigh's and asked for some guidance and I can tell you, the man's a diamond!" The podcaster then went on to say: "The care, attention and thought he put into every detail was above and beyond, right down to him driving out to Renvyle House Hotel to deliver the 'package' to Anne Marie Kelly, the incomparable general manager there. It was all so much fun and it felt distinctly Irish." Ryan has often spoken about his love for the West Coast of Ireland, and this proposal showed just how much the area means to the pair. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN He said: "By the Atlantic shore, I asked the important question and thankfully, the answer was in the affirmative – and so began the most gorgeous weekend." The 52-year-old revealed that the "staff and joyful hotel patrons" helped make each part "feel special". Donncha O'Callaghan has Ryan Tubridy in stitches He added: "We called into Jonty the next day to thank him and his staff; there was a little confusion about online stories but that was entirely at my end. Jonty did not let the cat out of the bag, it was an innocent miscommunication and we're all firm friends. "In fact, he joined us at The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel that evening where my cousin Brian Hughes and his amazing wife, Michelle, raised a few glasses with another cousin, Rachael Coyle and her brilliant husband, Shane. "Another lovely night was had that ended with songs at the piano! After that, it was Scrabble, cycling and sleeping before boarding a plane in Shannon and heading to the skies a different man with a whole new vista ahead. I felt and feel lucky, happy and ready for another welcome twist in the tale." Earlier this week, the dad-of-two told his Virgin Radio UK listeners: "I have a little bit of news that I was kind of keeping a little bit to myself - to ourselves. "Even though I'm a public person doing the job I do, I also have quite a lot of privacy that I like to keep to myself. HAPPY COUPLE "However, the cat has been removed from the bag for a number of reasons and I'm very, very, very happy to confirm that I did indeed get engaged to my partner Clare on Thursday evening in the West of Ireland." Speaking about his longterm love, Tubs previously told The Irish Sun: "She has brought an awful lot of joy into my life and happiness and support. "I don't want to talk too much about her, because my private life has always stayed private. "But I think anyone who has met or knows Clare will know exactly why we are seeing each other. I feel very lucky." Asked at the time if the clinical psychologist, who he first interviewed on his RTE Radio One show in March 2023, had been a major support during the last six months. Tubs replied: "Remarkably so."
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Zach Bryan reveals his favourite Irish pub – and left jaw-dropping tip for staff
Zach the lad | Staff gobsmacked as the American country superstar gives €6K tip to three staff members The singer, who is performing to 180,000 fans at the Phoenix Park this weekend, with the final of three shows taking place this evening, spent Wednesday night drinking in The Celt on Dublin's Talbot Street after landing in Ireland that day. 'Shout out to the Celt last night, best damn bar in Ireland,' Bryan posted on his Instagram after the visit. And yesterday publican Noel Tynan, the owner of The Celt, told how the Something In The Orange singer gave his three bar staff a total of €6,000 as a tip after hearing how one of them was working late night to pay his college fees. 'Zach was at the counter talking to staff and one of them said he was a student,' Noel reveals. Country star Zach Bryan arm-wrestling pub owner Noel Tynan 'He was asking why he was working so late and he said he was doing it to get a few bob for college. 'Maybe I'll help you,' Zach said. 'So he left a tip of €6,000 for the three of them and said, 'That's his fees paid for now.' He also gave me tickets for a couple of terminally ill children from Crumlin Hospital to attend the show tonight. 'Zach is the most down-to-earth young fella you'll ever meet. He first came here two years ago when he played a couple of nights at The Helix. 'Hugo Keenan the rugby player is pretty friendly with him and my son, Donnacha, is good friends with Hugo. It was Hugo who had brought him back here the first time. 'They had been down in Temple Bar, but it wasn't Zach's scene. He's from a small place called Oologah in Oklahoma, which has a population of 4,000 people. 'Hugo said, 'I know a great pub,' and he brought him here that night and sure he loved it. We have a great mix of tourists and locals and there's a couple of characters in the pub as well and they like that. There's a great céad míle fáilte. The bar staff chat to everyone. 'My son, Donnacha, is a good guitar player and singer. He did a number of Irish ballads for Zach that night and the next thing Zach started singing. He's on YouTube singing songs in The Celt two years ago.' Country star Zach Bryan News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd On Wednesday night Bryan took The Celt's owner Noel Tynan in an arm wrestle – later posting a photo on social media. 'It was a serious arm wrestle and I've seldom been beaten, even by rugby players, but I was shocked how quick he put me down,' Noel said yesterday. 'He's as strong as an ox.' Noel also revealed that while Zach hasn't been back to the bar, which was mobbed on Wednesday after he revealed he was drinking there, his dad Dewayne Bryan has been in The Celt every day since – and was yesterday mingling with country fans and Limerick hurling supporters in the pub.' 'In the last couple of days Dewayne has been giving tickets for Zach's concert to people in the pub who get up and sing,' Noel added. Although most people in Ireland weren't familiar with Zach Bryan before this weekend – his followers found him on YouTube and various music platforms. He first began uploading his songs to YouTube in 2017, with his buddies filming him live on his iPhone. One of his songs, Heading South, finally went viral, which set him on the road to the success he's enjoying today. Following his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in 2021, he then got a record contract with Warner Records. On Spotify, Zach, whose hits include I Remember Everything, was the third most streamed artist of 2024 in the US, with Taylor Swift being tops and Drake in second place.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Harry reveals surprising encounter with A-list actress, boasting ‘I think I had a chance'
LOVE Island's Harry has revealed a surprising encounter with a huge A-list actress. On last night's Unseen Bits on ITV2, the islanders were going through their celebrity crushes in the Beach Hut Bonanza segment. 5 Footballer Harry Cooksley told viewers about his celebrity crush in the beach hut 5 He admitted on the show that he met the Oscar nominee on a plane Credit: Getty Farnham Town footballer He admitted on camera: "The incredible Margot Robbie. "And I'll tell you exactly why, I sat next to her on a flight, we chatted the entire way." He added: "And I actually thought I had a chance with her." READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND Margot, 34, is best known for her huge roles as Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad movies. She also starred alongside Brad Pitt in films such as This was after she had her mainstream breakthrough for her role in Martin Scorsese's The Barbie actress is also well known to be a superfan of the long-running ITV reality series. Most read in TV For her 31st birthday she celebrated with her nearest and dearest with a Love Island themed party. She has also met various former contestants including Maura Higgins does SHOTS with Margot Robbie as Hollywood's biggest Love Island fan invites her out for lunch The Oscar nominee also previously invited Maura Higgins They both did shots together after they ordered a whole bottle of Margot's own gin, Papa Salt Coastal gin to the table. In 2020, Birds of Prey which led to him getting a cameo in Barbie as a human Ken doll. The reality personality previously told Cosmopolitan: "She's just really down to earth and cool. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met." Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. 5 The reality star thought that he 'had a chance' with the actress as they chatted for the whole flight 5 Margot rose to A-list status after starring in The Wolf Of Wall Street with Leonardo DiCaprio Credit: Getty 5 She has since appeared in huge productions alongside the likes of Brad Pitt, Will Smith and John Cena Credit: Getty Love Island continues on ITV2 and is available to stream on ITVX .
