What began as a family vacation to Rome turned into a front row seat to history as Courier publisher Peter Weinberger witnessed newly elected Pope Leo XIV address a crowd of more than 100,000 outside the Vatican on May 8.

From his hotel near St. Peter’s Basilica, Weinberger captured the moment from both a rooftop patio and street level, offering a unique, firsthand view of the historic event. A short video clip (link below) shows white smoke billowing from a small chimney atop the Sistine Chapel — the traditional signal that a new pope has been chosen. As the smoke rose thousands began to surge, gathering to hear Pope Leo XIV’s first words. Full coverage with more photos will appear in this week’s print edition of the Courier, along with a full-length video feature at claremont-courier.com.

Watch our video when the public first knew a new Pope was elected. More coming May 16.