ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - May 8, 2025

Tonight breaking news here at the Vatican, the American Pope, the Cardinals and the Conclave, making an historic choice, electing for the first time in American to lead the Catholic. Church. Pope Leo IV, who is. from Chicago, tonight the moving images here, the white smoke, and the ringing bells. Confirming the Cardinals had chosen a new Pope. "Abeibus papa man.". and then Pope Leo XIV stepping out onto the. balcony, a deafening roar from the crowd below.

The shock of the moment, the first Pope ever from. the US, tens of thousands in the square surprised. and thrilled by the unexpected choice. The 69-year-old former Cardinal Robert. Prevost from the south side of Chicago, who served in. the church in the US in Rome, in Peru, spending. years there as a missionary. the new Pope's first words, peace be with you all, setting the tone for his papacy. His repeated message today of building. bridges of unity, saying God loves everyone. And what does his choice of the name.

Leo single about his hope for the church moving. forward. Tonight here my interviews with Americans who. were in the square who could not believe the history. they were witnessing here and their hope for Pope Leo, our entire team right here in St. Peter Square tonight. This evening, Pope Leo's childhood in Chicago, we will hear from his family, his brothers, who remember as a boy, he had a special relationship with God, the friends he grew up with, and what they saw on him, the. celebrations across the U.S.

Terry Baran, who is from Chicago right here at the. Vatican with me tonight. President Trump and former president Biden, Obama, Clinton and Bush, and their moving messages. tonight, the opportunity and what they believe Pope Leo, this American Pope, represents and their messages on. what the world needs now. The other major news tonight, President Trump announcing. his first trade deal, this one between the U.S. and the U.K., some of the. details still undecided. Also, the storms were tracking at this hour severe weather, causing ground stops and delays from Charlotte to New York City.

heavy thunderstorms, strong winds and flash flooding risks. Also, the suspect charged with stalking after the scene. outside Jennifer Aniston's home in court today at What Played. Out. And the moment right here behind me in St. Peter Square, We will show you the deeply moving image captured of Pope. Leo on the balcony, the American Pope in prayer. From ABC News, this is ABC World News Tonight with David. Neor reporting tonight from the Vatican.

Good evening tonight from the Vatican where we witness. history made here late today, first ever American Pope, the. Cardinals and the Conclave electing Cardinal Robert Prevost. from the south side of Chicago. Tonight he is Pope Leo the 14th. The eyes of the world on that chimney above the. Sistine Chapel when white smoke began to emerge, signaling. there is a new Pope. You can hear the cheers that erupted. here in St. Peter Square that messaged and confirmed by the. ringing of the bells here at St. Peter's Basilica echoing.

across the city of Rome. Tens of thousands in the square cheering thousands more, getting alerts on their phones, that there was a new pope. They began running to the square. Many got here in time, the square overflowing. A little more than an hour later, a cardinal appearing, delivering the message, everyone was waiting to hear. [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]. A babos pop 'em, we have a pope. And then the moment the pope was revealed, Cardinal pre-vost born in Chicago who. studied at Villanova, been joining the priesthood.

becoming a missionary and guru. At 69, he is considered young to be a Pope, Italian media, calling him the least American of the American Cardinals. In the crowd below, American flags begin waving their people. from all over the world, celebrating as he waved to them. In his address, the new Pope's first words, "Peace be with you all.". His repeated message of unity, saying God loves everyone, and his choice of the name of Leo. and what it signals tonight about his papacy ahead. Tonight here, my interviews with Americans.

who were in the square who could not believe. the history they were witnessing. And I talk with Father James Martin, who knows the Pope, describing him as. a kind humble man and a decisive one too. Tonight here, the American Pope. Tonight, 24 hours and 21 minutes after the doors closed. to the Sistine Chapel, white smoke seen by the world. late today. The applause the cheers erupting from. Saint Peter Square and the weight would begin here. Tens of thousands gathered here in the square and beyond.

waiting to see the new Pope and to learn who it will. be. Inside the Sistine Chapel, 133 Cardinals choosing. one of their own and it was about to make history. the first ever Pope from the United States. Good afternoon live from the Vatican we're coming back on. the air because there is smoke again coming from the chimney. let's go right to the live picture the swell of applause. from the square right here saying Peter Square. obviously you can see right there would appear.

to be a white smoke which would be an extraordinary development. here in Vatican City. The white smoke coming after the fourth ballot, the. anticipation growing here. Some running to the square after alerts on their phones, trying to find a place already overflowing, saying. Peter Square. The bells ringing out. While inside the Sistine Chapel, he is asked, "Do you. accept your election as Supreme Pontiff?".

The moment he said, "Yes," he became Pope. And he was asked, "By what name do you wish to be called?". It's believed he was then brought to the room of tears, where he chose it classic, from several hanging in that room. At as tens of thousands waited in St. Peter's. Square, and millions waited watching from all. all over the world. Cardinal Proto-Dican Dominique Mumbertia France. walking out onto that balcony and declaring, "ha baby's. papa, we have a Pope.". - "A baby must papa, man.".

- "A then delivering his name.". - "Dominouma Roberto Francis Cum, Saint-Téromane Clésier, Cardinal Emma Prévost.". Cardinal Robert Prévost, revealing he has chosen a name. He will be known as Pope Leo the 14th, the crowd chanting Leo. Born in Chicago in 1955 he is 69 years old, considered.

young compared to recent popes. could lead the church of 1.4 billion Catholics. for some time to come. We have just heard that Robert Francis Prevost of the United. States, 69 years old, born in Chicago, has been. named the next Pope. There had been so much talk about whether or not there was. a slim possibility that there would be an American Pope, one from the United States.

He went to college at Villanova, studied mathematics. Italian media has referred to him as the least American. of the Americans because of his quiet humble way. He had years of missionary experience in Peru. The voting cardinals read the balconies. of St. Peter's Basilica. [Cheering]. And then we see him.

Pope Leo the 14th, the first pope ever from. the US, on the balcony. The cheer's deafening as he waves. The pope is physically moved. [Cheering]. Some in the crowd leading the American flags, children. and tears on their parent shoulders, but none of. their hands and prayer. And then his first words to the. faithful as Pope, peace be with you all, dear. as brothers and sisters. (speaking in foreign language).

He spoke of Pope Francis, "Blessing Rome in the. world that Easter morning," saying, "Allow me to follow. up on that same blessing.". God loves us, God loves you all. (speaking in foreign language). And evil will not prevail. He went on to say, "Help us too to build bridges. with dialogue, with encounter, uniting us all to be one. people always in peace.

He thanked the Cardinals who chose him to be the next Pope, and this was his wish to millions watching, that this be a church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive like this. square with open arms. All those who need our charity are presence and love, and a church that always tries to be close, especially to those who suffer. And the new Pope who was born in Chicago, serving the church in the U.S.

and in Rome, and in Peru where. Pope Francis sent him, he was a missionary. at priest Abyssal, at Choclio Peru, where. he helped the poor. And today he sent a message to the world. in choosing to go by Pope Leo the Fourteenth. The choice of Leo the Fourteenth, Everyone looks to that name to try to figure out what kind. of message the Pope is trying to stand from the very start. And what do you make of it? Historically, it's a name that would signal his alignment with. workers, labor, and the poor. And that that's going to be his outreach from the very beginning.

Certainly that's his intention. I mean he can expand that But it's a real solid sign that. that's the way he wants to be identified at the beginning. We met this husband and wife from California, Luis and Sue Hapernol, who raised two miles to the square. after getting the alert. There was a new pope. What about him and what he said here today? I loved his message when he said building. bridges through dialogue. From the moment we saw the white smoke begin to. emerge from that chimney, you could see the size. of the crowd swelling.

People actually running down the street trying. to make it to the square to actually see the new. Pope emerge on that balcony. And inside the crowd was a group of students. from the University of Chicago, who could not believe the. history they were witnessing. He began by saying, "Peace be with you.". And he talked about building bridges. And what do you think that means? I feel like it's a continuation of what Francis was doing. And reaching those people on margins. At Christina Mori from Indianapolis, she was at the front of the square,

meeting American seminarians and making friends with young. people from all over the world, taking in the moment. "There was a lot of hope and joy into what this new chapter. could bring and there were seven other countries, touching shoulders. We all spoke different languages, we all had. different interpretations of what was going. on but we were all together in that spirit. of unity and excitement.". And the American seminarians who were standing with as. well were equally as shocked. Oh, they were all just jaws dropped. And we met young college students.

Elise Hartning and Lily Weber from Chicago. with the scene that history made with the Pope. from their hometown. What connected you with Pope Francis. and what do you hope from Pope Leo? Yes, so Pope Francis, I just feel was very grounded. And he brought the communities all together. throughout the world to hope, hopefully, to continue that and brings on his legacy. throughout his time being a Pope. and the fact that he's from Chicago. - In the fact that he's Chicago, we'll be back there in two days. - Tough, tough, the compassionate city, right? - Yes, we'll bring back the love to Chicago.

- And tonight here, the new and moving images. from inside the Vatican, while the world was. waiting to learn who the new Pope would be, he was standing before the Cardinals who elected him, right there at the altar in the Sistine Chapel. They began appalling as the new Pope Leo the 14. made his way out of the chapel and began his journey to that. balcony to meet the world. So much hope here for the American Pope tonight.

Pope Leo's childhood in Chicago. We hear from his family, his brothers, who remember. as a boy he had a special relationship with God. The friends he grew up with and what they saw in him. ABC's Terry Moran, who is from Chicago right here. at the Vatican tonight. For the family and friends who know Pope Leo best tonight, there is celebration and deep pride. His brother Lou Privost, who lives in Florida, telling. me his heart is full. He was elected. I got up immediately, got dressed.

Danette's in her own like an idiot. Just because it's like incredible. Just outside their hometown of Chicago, the Pope's other brother, John Prievo, telling our Alex Perez he never expected this. I don't think it's really sunk in. It's kind of surreal. That's great pride. What kind of person is he? A regular run of the mill person, I think because he was trained in missionary work. in South America for so many years, he will be looking out for the disenfranchised.

John says his brother is inspired by Pope Francis. I don't know right away if you'll see a difference. between Pope Leo and Pope Francis. I think they were two of a kind. The youngest of three boys, Robert Prevost, knew early on he would be a priest. Some people play school or some people play army. He played priest and we had to go to math. - But you guys, okay. - Yes. The ironing board was the alter. So that's some of your childhood memories? That's absolutely correct.

So you knew right then and there, this is not a joke. - This is what he wanted. - That's right. Woman down the street said he would be the. first American pope. In first grade, they said that. - First grade. He knew at that age he was going to be a priest. - Lou says they used to tease him about it. - We used to tease him. You're gonna be the pope one day. Ha, ha. Is that, you know, it just happened about him. Pope Leo graduated from Villanova University. Jim Priestley went to high school and college. with the new Pope.

Back then they called him Bob. Bob is the one guy that if you were going to pick. a person in your class who was going to become. the Pope. It would, Bob would be the person. He's very religious, very devout. Catholic, who's devoted his life to Christ, and. he's extremely bright. He saw his old friend when. he came home last summer and held mass outside. Chicago. Bob was kind of surprised because the. well, the church was pretty well-full with people. A lot of people came to hear him.

talk. And now he's the Pope. The family expects Pope Leo will speak his mind on thorny. issues like immigration. "The big thing for him is immigration and is it right? What's going on? I think that'll be a challenge for him. because I think he'll say something about it too.". But in these divided times, his brother Lou believes he. will bring people together. What do you hope for him? What do you hope for his papacy and what he can do. for the church in the world? I'm hoping now that Rob's hope that he can bring.

all these sides together and smooth all that out. He, I don't wouldn't call him a conservative. I wouldn't call him a liberal. I think he's open-minded enough any. He seeks out guidance not only, you know, praying to God in the Holy Spirit, but from fellow Cardinals, from the nuns, from priests, bishops. Wow, it is just incredible what these brothers. saw in their brother and what his friends saw. and their fellow student at school all those years ago.

Terry Moran with us here tonight at the Vatican. and Terry, these three brothers have remained. close all these years. They sure have, David. The Lou tells me that through all the years, all the travels, he talked to his brother. about once a week and still does. And John says that when he comes to the Vatican, he'll grab a gelato with him. And the brothers, David, they did settle an. important question. The Pope is a son of Chicago, the home of deep dish pizza, but he has converted. He now prefers the Roman kind. David. - All right.

Well, that would be expected as Pope Leo the 14th now. Terry Mariner, thanks to you and Alex Perez, who's on the ground there in Chicago. We have just learned tonight of Pope Leo's first. official visit this evening. So let's bring in our chief international. correspondent James Longman, who was right there in. the square today as the world met Pope Leo. And James, what have you learned about this visit tonight? Yeah, Leo has just made his first visit. He went to greet people in the building where he lived here. in the Vatican since 2023. He stopped to give people in the courtyard photographs.

He then blessed them as they left. But then here on the square it was unbelievable. We will could not believe what they were seeing, but seeing is believing. And this American Pope gave a lot of people here, some belief. David. James Longman back with. us here tonight, James. Thank you. And back in the US, President Trump, former President Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton, all sending messages about this first American Pope. The opportunity for unity and their hope. for the new leader of the Catholic Church,

Rachel Scub at the White House tonight. Tonight, the American president, calling the election of the. first American pope, a great honor for our country. What greater honor could there be that we were a little bit. surprised when we happened? Each of America's former presidents sending. their good wishes. Joe Biden and a devout Catholic posting on social. media, habeas pompam. May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success. Barack Obama posting, Michelle and I send.

our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, his holiness Pope Leo XIV. We will pray for him as he begins the sacred work. of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for. so many, regardless of faith. George W. Bush calling this a historic. and hopeful moment for Catholics in America. and for the faithful around the world. And Bill Clinton citing the Pope's first words today, his holiness, Pope Leo the 14th spoke to billions, calling. for unity and offering peace. A message the world needs now more than ever.

And President Trump says he looks forward to meeting Pope. Leo the 14th saying it will be a very meaningful moment, David. Rachel Scott at the White House Force tonight, Rachel, thank you. There is one other headline from Washington tonight. President Trump today announcing a trade deal with the United. Kingdom, the first agreement with any country since. he launched his tariffs. The details are still being worked out. The White House says, but they also say the UK will buy more. American goods, including beef, ethanol and planes, and that the US will scale back some of its tariffs. on British cars, steel and aluminum.

Still, Trump's 10% tariffs on all British products. coming into the US remain in place. When we come back here tonight, the storms severe weather. causing ground stops and delays from Charlotte all the way. in New York City tonight will time it out. Tonight severe weather causing ground stops and. delays at airports from Charlotte all the way up. to the New York City area. Heavy thunderstorms and strong winds with the. potential for flash flooding right into Saturday now. When we come back here tonight, the suspect charged with.

stalking after the scene outside Jennifer Aniston's home in. court today and what played out. You'll see it. To the index, the suspect accused of ramming his car to. the gates of Jennifer Aniston's home appearing in court today, Jimmy Wayne Carwild, behind Glass there pleading not guilty. to charges of stalking and vandalism, the judge ordering. a mental competency evaluation moving forward. When we come back here tonight, the deeply moving image. will show you of Pope Leo and He was on this balcony, of. course, right here behind me.

Tonight, the first American Pope, the white smoke today signaling a new Pope, then on that balcony, Pope Leo, 69 born in Chicago, tens of thousands in St. Peter Square, and the deeply moving image captured of Pope Leo. on that balcony in prayer. So much hope for this American Pope. I'm David Neuer at the Vatican. Good night.