The papal conclave ended on Thursday when white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, and Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the cheering crowd.

The new Pope, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the first American to hold the position. The 69-year-old pontiff wore the traditional white cassock, red mozetta, and white skullcap, along with a gold cross necklace and the Fisherman’s ring on his right hand. A burgundy stole with intricate gold embroidery rested on his shoulders—a symbol of his duty to guide the Church and its followers, just as his predecessors, including Francis, Benedict, and John Paul, had done after their elections.

Before Pope Leo XIV’s election, many wondered how he would differ from his predecessor, the late Pope Francis I. While Leo is expected to be more conservative than the progressive Francis, even their styles of dress set them apart. When Francis first appeared on the balcony in 2013, he wore simple white robes—reflecting his humble approach—before later adding the stole. In contrast, Leo, like Benedict XVI and John Paul II, appeared in red and white vestments with the stole already in place.

Though it’s too early to predict Pope Leo XIV’s leadership, his choice of attire offers some early hints.