ATLANTA — Shock, joy, and even chants of “USA” filled the room at a watch party inside the Archdiocese of Atlanta as local Catholics learned that, for the first time in history, an American has been elected pope.

(OSV News)–The following is the full text of the “urbi et orbi” blessing given by Pope Leo XIV after his election May 8, 2025.

ATLANTA, Ga. – Georgia Catholics are excited and still a little bit in shock after the announcement of the first American pope.

ATLANTA – Excitement and pride filled the offices of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Thursday as staff and clergy gathered to witness a moment of history:

ATLANTA—Upon the election of former Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the new pope May 8, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., asked for prayers of uny for the Holy Father in a statement:

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

ATLANTA — Members of the Atlanta Archdiocese joined people around the world watching the Papal Conclave unfold in Vatican City on Wednesday.

ATLANTA — As the Catholic Church prepares to select its next pope, Cardinal Wilton Gregory—the former archbishop for Atlanta’s archdiocese …

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–All but four of the 135 cardinals who are eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to vote for a new pope had arrived in Rome by May 2, according to the Vatican press office.

VATICAN CITY (CNS)–On the final day of official mourning for the death of Pope Francis, the late pontiff was remembered as someone who was determined to live out …

ATLANTA—Cristian Bustos, parishioner of St. Monica Church in Duluth, learned of Pope Francis’ passing early on the morning of April 21.

The Catholic Church has been able to follow the news of Pope Francis’s hospitalization and all that followed …

MILLEDGEVILLE—Charlotte Aexel stood before the crowd of three dozen, narrating “A Good Man is Hard to Find” as fellow students brought Flannery O’Connor’s story to life.

ATHENS—Monsignor Donovan School, an independent Catholic School, will expand its academic program to include seventh and eighth grades beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

MONROE—For Cindy Connell Palmer, a trip to Italy turned into a moment of spiritual significance, one that became even more meaningful following the death of Pope Francis.

ATLANTA–Bishop John N. Tran offers prayers and words of gratitude upon hearing of the death of Pope Francis:

ATLANTA–Bishop Bernard E. Shlesinger III remembers lessons learned from Pope Francis and shares how the pope impacted his own ministry in this April 21 reflection:

ATLANTA–Bishop Joel M. Konzen, SM, shares his personal memories of Pope Francis and his openness in this April 21 statement:

ATLANTA—Avery Daniel was a seminarian studying in Rome when he was invited to be an altar server for a papal Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. As he stood near the altar …