The announcement follows the death of former Pope Francis on Easter Monday (21 April), at age 88, after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and eventual heart failure.

Following his passing, a nine-day mourning period was observed while preparations were made to select the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Who is Pope Leo?

Ordained in 1982 at just 27 years old, Pope Leo shares many of the values upheld by his predecessor, including a strong dedication to supporting migrants and people facing poverty.

In an interview with the Vatican’s official news outlet last year, he remarked, “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom.”

Though born in the United States, Pope Leo has spent much of his ministry abroad, visiting religious communities across the globe. He is fluent in both Italian and Spanish.

What strict rules do cardinals follow during the conclave?
During the conclave, cardinals stayed at the Casa de Santa Marta, a modest five-story guesthouse near St Peter’s Basilica. To ensure their decisions remained uninfluenced, they were entirely cut off from external communication.

Phones and newspapers were strictly prohibited to avoid any impact from outside information or media coverage.

Meanwhile, meals were prepared by Vatican nuns and served to the cardinals throughout the process. Typical dishes included meat skewers, pasta, potatoes, fish, and boiled vegetables. However, according to the BBC, certain foods like whole poultry and enclosed items such as pies and quiches were not allowed.