Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope

In Pictures · In Pictures

From the Conclave to a new Pope

After a two day conclave and five votes, US cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the next leader of the Cathlic church, he will be know as Pope Leo XIV, we take a look at the process from the general congestion of cardinals, to the mass for the Election of the Roman Pontiff, through to the moment the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, and the moment when Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to greet the world.

Article by Photo Desk

Cardinals walking pass members of the press while walking to the Vatican for the General Congregation. — 2 / 31
Cardinals walking pass members of the press while walking to the Vatican for the General Congregation. License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 6, 2025

Members of the press surrounding Cardinals arriving to the Vatican for the General Congregation — 3 / 31
Members of the press surrounding Cardinals arriving to the Vatican for the General Congregation License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 5, 2025

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan arriving to the Vatican for the General Congregation — 4 / 31
Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan arriving to the Vatican for the General Congregation License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 5, 2025

Cardinals leaving after the General Congregation — 5 / 31
Cardinals leaving after the General Congregation License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 5, 2025

Members of the media asking a cardinal question after the General Congregation — 6 / 31
Members of the media asking a cardinal question after the General Congregation License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 6, 2025

Workers on a crane installing a red curtain on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica — 7 / 31
Workers on a crane installing a red curtain on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 5, 2025

A worker on a crane doing construction work at St. Peter's Square — 8 / 31
A worker on a crane doing construction work at St. Peter's Square License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 5, 2025

Workers installing barricades at St. Peter's Square — 9 / 31
Workers installing barricades at St. Peter's Square License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 6, 2025

A Swiss guard in uniform stands next to people attending the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica — 10 / 31
A Swiss guard in uniform stands next to people attending the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Cardinals leaving after at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica. — 11 / 31
Cardinals leaving after at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica. License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Cardinals arriving at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica — 12 / 31
Cardinals arriving at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Cardinals arriving at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica — 13 / 31
Cardinals arriving at the Holy Mass "For the Election of the Roman Pontiff" inside St Peter's Basilica License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

People watching a screen with a live broadcast of cardinals in the sistine chapel for the papal conclave at St Peter's Square — 14 / 31
People watching a screen with a live broadcast of cardinals in the sistine chapel for the papal conclave at St Peter's Square License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel from the first day of the conclave — 15 / 31
Black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel from the first day of the conclave License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Crowds gather at St Peter's Square watching the black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel — 16 / 31
Crowds gather at St Peter's Square watching the black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

Crowds gather at St Peter's Square waiting for the smoke signal for the Sistine Chapel — 17 / 31
Crowds gather at St Peter's Square waiting for the smoke signal for the Sistine Chapel License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 7, 2025

A black smoke signal from the chimney at the sistine chapel after the morning conclave vote — 18 / 31
A black smoke signal from the chimney at the sistine chapel after the morning conclave vote License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

People watching a black smoke signal from the chimney at the sistine chapel at St Peter’s Square — 19 / 31
People watching a black smoke signal from the chimney at the sistine chapel at St Peter’s Square License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

White smoke form the chimney on top of the sistine chapel, signalling to the world that a new pope has been chosen — 20 / 31
White smoke form the chimney on top of the sistine chapel, signalling to the world that a new pope has been chosen License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

White smoke form the chimney on top of the sistine chapel. — 21 / 31
White smoke form the chimney on top of the sistine chapel. License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

People holding a US flag cheering at St Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV speaks on the balcony — 22 / 31
People holding a US flag cheering at St Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV speaks on the balcony License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

People cheering at St Peters Square after Pope Leo XIV speak on the balcony — 23 / 31
People cheering at St Peters Square after Pope Leo XIV speak on the balcony License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

People cheering at St Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV speaks on the balcony — 24 / 31
People cheering at St Peters Square as Pope Leo XIV speaks on the balcony License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 25 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 26 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 27 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 28 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 29 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 30 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope — 31 / 31
Pope Leo XIV on the balcony of St Peters Basilica for the first time as Pope License this image
Vatican, Vatican City
Photograph Vernon Yuen / Nexpher Images
May 8, 2025