The ritual for electing a new pope took social media by storm this week as content creators reacted to the ancient tradition with memes, skits and parodies.

The pop star was photographed on May 8 in attendance at the conclave election of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, which is a photo that has now gone viral.

Long Islanders were among those who packed St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City when Pope Leo was elected the first American leader of the Catholic Church.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

The Vatican press corps is watching Leo XIV very closely for clues to the kind of pope he plans to be, writes William Crawley.

Thousands in Vatican Square cheered as white smoke billowed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a new pope has been chosen.

Pope Leo XIV appears at the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica for his first Sunday blessing after his election, in St. Peter¥s Square at the Vatican, Sunday May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Pope Leo XIV appears at the central balcony of St.

Pope Leo XIV asked journalists to be peacemakers by shunning prejudice and anger in their reporting, and he called for the release of journalists imprisoned for their work.