VATICAN CITY – From the white smoke to stepping out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV has had a whirlwind schedule since his election.
Here's a photographic look at the first five days of the new pope's papacy.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first American pope in history. (OSV News photo/Hannah McKay, Reuters)
Pope Leo XIV leads his first Mass as pontiff in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican May 9, 2025. Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American pope in history with his election the previous day. (OSV News photo/Mario Tomassetti, Vatican media via Reuters)
Pope Leo XIV speaks with the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican May 10, 2025, during his first formal address to the college since his election May 8. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV speaks with the College of Cardinals in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican May 10, 2025, during his first formal address to the college since his election May 8. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
El Papa León XIV ora con el Colegio Cardenalicio en el Aula del Sínodo del Vaticano el 10 de mayo de 2025, durante su primer discurso formal ante el colegio de cardenales desde su elección el 8 de mayo. (Foto CNS/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV prays in front of a fresco of Our Lady of Good Counsel at the shrine named after the image in Genazzano, Italy, southeast of Rome, May 10, 2025. The shrine, with a famous image of Mary, is run by the pope's Augustinian confreres. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV greets a crowd outside the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Italy, southeast of Rome, May 10, 2025. The shrine, with a famous image of Mary, is run by the pope's Augustinian confreres. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV prays before the icon of Mary, "Salus Populi Romani," in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome May 10, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV prays at the tomb of Pope Francis in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major May 10, 2025. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass May 11, 2025, at the altar near the tomb of St. Peter's in the grotto of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Father Alejandro Moral Anton, prior general of the Order of St. Augustine, was the principal concelebrant. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
People gather in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to pray the "Regina Coeli" prayer with Pope Leo XIV for the first time May 11, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican as he leads, for the first time, the midday recitation of the "Regina Coeli" prayer May 11, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
As Pope Leo XIV looks on, aides break the seal on the door to the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 11, 2025. The Vatican has not said whether the new pope intends to live there. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV opens the door to the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 11, 2025. The Vatican has not said whether the new pope intends to live there. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV visits one of the rooms of the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 11, 2025, accompanied by U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, right, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, left. The Vatican has not said whether the new pope intends to live in the apartment. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV visits the chapel in the papal apartment in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 11, 2025. The Vatican has not said whether the new pope intends to live there. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV walks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, in a frescoed corridor of the Apostolic Palace after visiting the papal apartment there May 11, 2025. The Vatican has not said whether the new pope intends to live in the apartment. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV speaks to representatives of the media who covered his election in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican May 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Leo XIV speaks to representatives of the media who covered his election in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican May 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Leo XIV greets representatives of the media who covered his election in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican May 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Leo XIV greets representatives of the media who covered his election in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican May 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Leo XIV greets photographers as he welcomes members of the media who covered his election, during a meeting in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican May 12, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
