Those who knew Pope Leo XIV as a younger man say his path to the papacy has prepared him well for the challenges ahead.

White smoke billowed over the Vatican on Thursday to signal a cardinal has been elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church. Why it matters: The newly elected pope, who has not yet been publicly named,

After two days of contemplation and balloting, a new Pope has been elected. White smoke emanating from the Sistine Chapel chimney today to inform the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and everyone else that the conclave of 133 cardinals have determined a new Bishop of Rome.