Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago was chosen as the 267th pope and took the name Leo XIV, after white smoke was seen rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday. The white smoke, followed by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Basilica, confirmed the election of a new pope.

Pope Leo XIV was chosen during the fourth or fifth round of voting morning did not yield a consensus among the cardinals

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to be chosen for the office, was elected on the second day of the conclave, after the fourth ballot. After one vote on Wednesday and two votes on Thursday, white smoke was seen rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at approximately 6:07 pm local time, indicating that the cardinals reached a two-thirds majority. This concluded the conclave, the process by which the College of Cardinals elects a new pope. The conclave began on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday.

The result, the famous "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope") was announced by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. The crowd in St. Peter's Square erupted in jubilation as the news spread, with pilgrims and tourists waving flags and cheering.

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address, offered a message of peace and dialogue "without fear," and thanked the cardinals who elected him. He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and emphasized the need for unity and building bridges.

The Pope, officially known as the Supreme Pontiff, is the Bishop of Rome, the head of the worldwide Catholic Church, and the head of state of Vatican City State, with absolute legislative, executive, and judicial authority.

Prevost was born in Chicago, US, where he spent the early part of his clerical career working for the Order of Saint Augustine.

As part of the Augustinian mission, he served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator. He was then elected as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, which he served as from 2001 to 2013.

Pope Francis named Prevost as the Bishop of Chiclayo on his return to Peru. He served in this role from 2015 to 2023, when he was made a cardinal. He was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a prominent role that raised his profile as a potential papal candidate. He was also appointed president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America in 2023.

The predecessor of Pope Leo XIV, who died on April 21, 2025 Pope Francis, is remembered for championing historically progressive stances, such as spreading climate change awareness and advocating for immigrants' rights and inclusivity toward LGBTQ+ people. He was often criticized by conservatives especially in America for his left-wing stances.

Pope Leo XIV is facing similar criticisms by conservative pundits and some supporters of US President Donald Trump following news of his election as pope Thursday.

Social media posts surfaced Thursday, of the new pope's criticisms of both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Some critics have labeled him a "WOKE MARXIST POPE" and deemed "worse than Francis" due to his stance on social issues and immigration policies.

However in social media posts Thursday, both Trump and Vance welcomed the the election of the new pope.

"Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!" Vance wrote on X.

On his part, Trump wrote, "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is facing backlash on social media, after firing two waitresses and taking further action against the individuals involved in an incident Saturday, at his Barstool Sansom Street bar in Philadelphia, where a sign that read "Fuck the Jews," was displayed.

Barstool Sansom Street bar in a statement said, "We are saddened, embarrassed, and frustrated by the deplorable actions of a customer and misguided staff."

Portnoy, who is Jewish, said he became furious after friends informed him of a video clip of the incident posted on social media. He immediately launched an investigation and spoke to the patrons responsible. Two waitresses were fired. Portnoy said, "The employees complied with a customer’s request for a sign in connection with ordering bottle service."

Portnoy in an initial video posted on X, called the waitresses and patrons "antisemites" and "disgusting piece of shit." The Barstool Sports founder who appeared visibly upset, said "I’m 20 steps ahead, and I’m using everything [at my disposal]." He also said, "I’m going to make it my life’s fucking mission to ruin these people."

The outspoken Barstool Sports founder later said in another video, that he planned to send the individuals responsible to Auschwitz (in Poland) to learn about the Holocaust, aiming, he claimed, to turn the incident into a teaching moment. Rabbi David Kushner, a chaplain with the Philadelphia Police Department, spoke with Portnoy and commended his response.

However on Monday, Portnoy retracted the offer for Mo Khan, a Temple University student, after the 21-year-old denied responsibility and claimed he was acting as a "citizen journalist" when he uploaded video of the incident on social media.

Temple University has placed Mo Khan on interim suspension and is investigating the incident. President John Fry stated, "In the strongest terms possible, let me be clear: antisemitism is abhorrent. It has no place at Temple."

This incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with many slamming Portnoy for overreacting and trying to ruin the lives of the young employees and patrons over mere words. Many noted that the Barstool founder has in the past publicly condemned 'cancel culture' and censorship.

Portnoy mentioned in another video that he has experienced increased antisemitism in the past year and a half, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Mo Khan also referenced the Israeli-Palestine conflict in a video telling his side of the story. He accused Portnoy of trying to bully him and ruin his life.

India has launched missile strikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to the Indian Ministry of Defense. The attacks, which occurred early on Wednesday, are in response to a militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, last month that killed 26 people.

According to Pakistani officials, the strikes killed at least eight people, including a child, and injured over 35 others. Some of the attacks hit a mosque in Bahawalpur, Punjab, and several locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

The Indian Defense Ministry in a statement said that the strikes were aimed at "terrorist infrastructure" used to plan and launch attacks against India. It emphasized that the targets were selected with "considerable restraint" and that no Pakistani civilian, economic, or military targets were hit.

Pakistan has vowed a robust response, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemning the attacks as a "cowardly" act of war. The Pakistani military spokesperson confirmed that at least two Indian fighter jets were shot down in retaliation.

Islamabad has informed the UN Security Council (UNSC) about the "blatant aggression by India and the threat it posed to international peace and security," Pakistan's foreign ministry says in a statement.

"UNSC has been informed that Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately to this aggression at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with its right to self-defence as enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter," it adds.

World leaders, including the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and U.S. President Donald Trump, have called for restraint and urged both countries to de-escalate tensions. The Secretary-General expressed concern about the potential for escalation of the military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The current crisis stems from a militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people. India has blamed Pakistan for backing the attack, a claim Pakistan denies.

The dispute over Kashmir has been a long-standing issue between India and Pakistan since the partition of colonial India in 1947. Both countries claim the region in full, but each controls a section of the territory, separated by the Line of Control (LoC).

Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have shut more than 1,000 religious schools and are preparing for possible further military action. Residents are also readying underground bunkers for safety.

Pakistan has closed its airspace for at least 48 hours, affecting multiple flights. British nationals have been advised to stay up to date with travel advice and follow local authorities' guidance.

The situation remains highly volatile, and further developments are expected as both countries continue to respond to the escalating tensions.