Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as Pope as details emerge from conclave

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV concelebrates Mass with the College of Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican the day after his election as 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican Media via AP)

Pope Leo XIV said his election was both a cross to bear and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass and details began to emerge of how votes quickly coalesced to make him history’s first American pope.

Freed from their conclave, Catholic cardinals began describing the days and hours leading up to the final ballot on Thursday afternoon that brought Leo past the two-thirds majority needed.