Photos Show Joyous Vatican Scenes as Robert Prevost Is Announced the New Pope

Robert Francis Prevost was chosen on Thursday, May 8, to succeed Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church. The decision was announced after 133 cardinals deliberated for two days while partaking in the papal conclave, a centuries-long tradition to elect the next Pope.

White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday evening. The day before, black smoke had appeared from the same chimney, indicating that the first vote was inconclusive. 

Soon after the successful vote took place, Cardinal Dominique François Joseph Mamberti emerged on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and announced that Prevost, a Chicago native, had been selected as the new Pope. Prevost is the first American Pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He has taken the name Leo XIV.

The crowd outside the Vatican cheered loudly upon hearing the news.

Below is a selection of the best photographs from the celebration, chosen by TIME’s photo editors.