The world awaits white smoke to emit from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel and the words ‘Habemus papam’ to be pronounced from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The person who they will hear them from is Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, that is unless he is chosen to be the new pope to lead the Catholic Church with its 1.4 billion worldwide congregation. As Cardinal Protodeacon, Mamberti is the most senior cardinal belonging to the Order of Deacons and tasked with the important announcement “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus Papam!” (I announce a great joy: we have a Pope!) from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. While he may be relatively unknown to most, the cardinal, who is described as discreet, self-effacing and trustworthy, has been a leading figure in Vatican diplomacy over the past four decades.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American, has been elected the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. The announcement was made from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica following the traditional declaration of Habemus Papam. Prevost, 69, becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy. The white smoke that billowed from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday signalled his election by the College of Cardinals after a successful conclave. Crowds in St. Peter’s Square erupted with cheers and applause as the new pope stepped onto the balcony to greet the faithful. The selection of an American pontiff marks a historic moment for the Church, with many viewing his election as a potential turning point for its global leadership and direction.
Who is Dominique Mamberti? Mamberti was born on 7 March 1952 in Marrakech, Morocco where his father served in the civil service. Both his parents were French, his father from Vico, Corsica and his mother from the Territoire de Belfort, in northeastern France, and they returned to France shortly after Mamberti’s birth. His parents eventually settled in Corsica after retirement. Mamberti, a student of public law and political science, was ordained a priest on 20 September 1981 for the Diocese of Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica. He earned a canon law degree after which he trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, before entering the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1986.
Among his diplomatic postings were Algeria (1986-1990), Chile (1990-1993), at the United Nations in New York (1993-1996), in Lebanon (1996-1999) according to his biography. In 1999, he began working at the Vatican’s Secretariat of State’s Section for Relations with States where he served until 2002. He received his episcopal ordination in 2002 and Pope John Paul II named Mamberti apostolic nuncio in Sudan and titular Archbishop of Sagona, as well as apostolic delegate in Somalia. Two years later he was named apostolic nuncio in Eritrea, a neighboring country on the Horn of Africa. He was appointed secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, a position he would hold until 2015.
A year after Mamberti was appointed that position, he helped to arrange a landmark meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, where he was the pope’s representative in Khartoum, to discuss in particular a comprehensive peace agreement in the war-torn country. During his tenure at the Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, Mamberti led many Holy See delegations at international meetings and conferences, especially at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the UN’s General Assembly.
Dominique Mamberti became the cardinal protodeacon in October 2024, a position held by the longest-serving cardinal deacon, following the death of Cardinal Renato Martino. He will announce the new pope on May 8, 2025. The smoke signal means the winner secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The new pope is expected to make his first public appearance and impart a blessing from the same loggia.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, is now the first American-born pope. During his first appearance, he greeted the crowd with the words, “Peace be with all you.” His election is seen as a significant shift in the Church's direction, especially given the conventional wisdom that the U.S. holds enough power in the world already. However, Prevost has spent much of his life outside the U.S. and holds a Peruvian passport in addition to his American and Vatican ones.
Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, prompting the conclave to convene. The cardinals had been sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel since May 7, 2025, reaching a two-thirds majority to elect Prevost. The momentous occasion was marked by the traditional white smoke signaling the election of a new pope, a sight that had the crowds in St. Peter’s Square cheering.
In addition to Mamberti's significant diplomatic career, he is also known for his legal expertise. He served as prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, the Vatican’s highest judicial authority, succeeding Cardinal Raymond Burke. Mamberti has been involved in numerous international agreements, including those with Cape Verde and Serbia, showcasing his ability to navigate complex global issues.
As the new pope, Robert Prevost's leadership will be closely watched as he navigates the challenges facing the Catholic Church today. His election as the first American pope not only marks a historic moment but also signals a potential shift in the Church's approach to global issues and its role in international diplomacy.
With Mamberti at the helm of the announcement, the transition of power within the Catholic Church is poised to be both a moment of celebration and a pivotal point for the future direction of the Church under Pope Leo XIV.
