Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on the second day of the conclave. Following his election, he selected Pope Leo XIV as his papal name.
Pope Leo is the first American to be elected pope, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church.
He delivered his first public address this afternoon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. His first message was one of peace.
Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, said his message calls for open dialogue and a shared commitment to peace.
McGrattan said he has met with Pope Leo in the past and is looking forward to working with him. He says he expects there to be masses of celebrations acknowledging the new leader of the Catholic Church.
"At this point, as the news has reached everyone in the world, it's reaching many of our Catholics in Alberta, hopefully they all be filled with a sense that this is the choice that has been discerned by the cardinals, but through the inspiration of the holy spirit, that it should bring them a sense of peace," said McGrattan.
