Pope Leo XIV: Diocese of Austin speaks on the new pope

For the last 24 hours, the world's attention has been focused on the Vatican in Rome. Here in Austin, the Diocese is awaiting a new leader of its own.

Pope Leo XIV's first address: Full text

Robert Prevost was elected to be the Catholic Church's new pope on Thursday. His first comments as Pope Leo XIV lasted for a few minutes; here's the full text of those remarks.

Robert Prevost becomes 1st American to be Pope: Here's why there are few non-European pontiffs

Robert Prevost's election as the new pope marks the first time a person from the United States was selected as the head of the Roman Catholic faith. Here's what to know about where previous popes came from, and why an American pontiff was considered to be unlikely, until now.

List: Countries with the most, fewest popes

Which countries have produced the most, and the fewest, popes? A historic first from the U.S. just reshaped the centuries-old list.

What is an Augustinian?

There were six popes who were part of the St. Augustine order before Pope Leo XIV, according to America, a Jesuit magazine.

First American pope: The world reacts

The notion of an American pope has long been frowned upon, but Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, had prominence that few other cardinals have.

Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost? Leo XIV is first American pope

The College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago to become the next leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. He'll take the name Pope Leo XIV.

New Pope Leo XIV addresses crowd at Vatican: FULL
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Cardinal Robert Prevost, who will take the name Pope Leo XIV, speaks to a crowd of the faithful at the Vatican on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Prevost is the first American born pope.

New Pope Elected: White smoke appears from Sistine Chapel
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White smoke finally billowed from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday afternoon, signaling to the world that the papal conclave has chosen a new pope to succeed Pope Francis, who died last month. The College of Cardinals is expected to shortly reveal the name of the person who will become the next leader of the worldwide Catholic Church and he'll make his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's. The election came one day after the papal conclave began on May 7.

Papal Conclave: Day 1
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The first day of the Papal Conclave ended without a consensus on the next pope. Black smoke from the Sistine Chapel indicated Cardinals will have to return to work tomorrow

‘Sistine seagull’ steals spotlight during papal conclave — again

A lone seagull perched near the Sistine Chapel chimney became the unexpected star of the papal conclave livestream — reviving a viral tradition as the world waits for news of the next pope.

LIVE l How to watch the Vatican during papal conclave: 24/7 cam

The College of Cardinals began the secretive voting process of choosing a new pope on Wednesday -- and FOX 5 NY will have a 24/7 LIVE look at the Sistine Chapel.

Texas House committee does not advance bill allowing prayer in schools

Lawmakers left a bill in House committee that would allow school districts to carve out time for prayer and reading of religious texts in school.

How do religions choose their leaders? What to know as Catholics prepare for next pope

From conclaves to reincarnation, religious traditions around the world follow different rules when selecting new spiritual leaders. Here’s how major religions make their choices.

The pope’s regnal name: What it is and why it matters

When a new pope is elected, one of his first decisions is to choose a regnal name — a symbolic gesture that reveals spiritual inspiration, political intent, and historical legacy.

White smoke vs. black smoke: What it means for the pope

Following Pope Francis’ death, the Vatican begins the conclave to elect a new pope, with smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel marking the votes.