Pope Leo XIV, the first person from the United States to lead the Catholic Church, is taking on a financial headache in his new position. White smoke billowed from the Vatican at about 6 p.m. on Thursday as the papal conclave made its decision about who should become the leader of the Catholic Church.

A Roman Catholic priest has welcomed the election of the new Pope, Leo XIV, and labelled him the "people's Pope". Father Brian McGinley, formerly of St George's Catholic Church in Worcester, said he believed the 267th Pope would speak "truth to power" and not take sides.