Pope Leo XIV was elected as the Catholic Church's 267th leader on Thursday. The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.

The motto of one newly elected American world leader: " Fight! " The other introduced himself to the world with his first public word as pope: “ Peace." The contrast between President Donald Trump and Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV couldn't be more stark — politically,

Pope Leo XIV called for peaceful communication and thanked journalists worldwide for sharing stories illuminating truth, humanity, and hope.

Pope Leo also celebrated Mother’s Day as jubilee bands and thousands of pilgrims created a festive atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.

Leo, who was elected the 267th leader of the Catholic Church last week, called for "the precious gift of free speech" to be protected and an end to a divisive "war of words" filled with prejudice and ideological attacks.

A pontiff’s first formal meeting with the news media often offers further indications of how the new head of the Roman Catholic church intends to lead.

Pope Leo XIV’s first signals about the style and substance of his pontificate show why he won such broad assent at the conclave that elected him.The first-ever U.S.-born pope has repeatedly indicated strong continuity with his predecessor,