Pope Leo XIV Greets 100,000 Crowds in Rome

Following the recent death of Pope Francis, Rome has been a focal point of significant religious and public activity, culminating in the election of Pope Leo XIV. Tens of thousands of people flocked to the city for the Papal funeral and the subsequent Conclave, with crowds gathering at key sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica Papale Santa Maria Maggiore under tight security. On May 8, newly elected Pope Leo XIV addressed a crowd of over 100,000 people outside the Vatican, an event witnessed firsthand by Peter Weinberger and captured in photos and video. The atmosphere in Rome was marked by a blend of respect and urgency, with locals and visitors alike eager for the papal process to proceed swiftly. Despite the large crowds and media presence, the environment maintained a solemn tone, with minimal commercial exploitation of the events. Weather conditions included thunderstorms with a high chance of rain, which did not deter the assembled throngs in St. Peter’s Square for the Pope's first Sunday prayer.