Robert Prevost has been named as the new Pope and will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel.
The pontiff, who will be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the globe and history’s first American pope.
His name was announced after cardinal Mamberti uttered the words ‘Habemus papam!’ Latin for ‘We have a pope!’ from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Chants of ‘Leon, Leon’ ran through the crowds who had gathered in St Peter’s Square, with some appearing to be shocked, mouthing ‘An American?’.
In his first words, Pope Leo said ‘Peace be with you’, offering a message of peace and dialogue ‘without fear.’ The pontiff recalled he was an Augustinian priest, but that he was above all a Christian above all and a bishop, ‘So we can all walk together.’
He spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
Pope Leo’s appointment was revealed just after 5pm UK time on Thursday when white smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel, confirming the news to the world.
World leaders have already offered their congratulations to the 69-year-old pontiff, including US President Donald Trump, who said he will ‘look forward to meeting’ Pope Leo in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The US President wrote: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.
‘What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the pontiff’s as a ‘momentous moment’ and said that he looks ‘forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church’.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Pope Leo’s appointment with a plea for continued support from the Vatican.
In a post on X Mr Zelensky wrote: ‘Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election to the See of Saint Peter and the beginning of his pontificate.
‘Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.
‘At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.
Cardinal Prevost had emerged in recent days as a contender which was a surprise as normally cardinals steer away from those that come from a ‘superpower’.
The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the ‘least American of the Americans’ and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis.
He was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same sex unions noticeably quiet.
Chants of ‘Abbiamo Papa, ole, ole,ole’ and ‘Viva il Papa’ could be heard from the thousands that had rushed towards the square and the flags of dozens of countries were being waved in front of stunningly sunlit St Peter’s Basilica.
Older cardinals who didn’t participate in the conclave rushed out to the square and lined up as military bands played the Italian and Holy See national anthems.
Spotted in the crowd were American Cardinals Sean O’Malley and Donald Wuerl, both of whom are over 80 and didn’t vote.
A marching brass band in blue uniforms led a contingent of Swiss guards through the crowd to a central spot below the balcony, generating another huge roar from the crowd.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard is the official security force of the Vatican, and holds a ceremonial and a protective function.
Hailing from 70 different countries, the 133-strong group of cardinals gathered in the Vatican for the centuries-old ritual to elect the 267th pontiff following the death of Pope Francis last month.
Last night’s first round of voting prompted groans around the square after black smoke was seen rising from the chimney, indicating no result had been reached.
Black smoke was also seen this morning, showing the second round had, equally, not
Up to four votes a day can take place from then, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, with white smoke confirming a new pope has been chosen.
It was unlikely that the cardinals would come to a consensus with the first few votes, given that previous elections have taken a number of days.
The longest conclave in history was almost three years, when Pope Gregory X was elected. The shortest lasted just 10 hours and ended with the election of Pope Julius II in 1503.
In recent history the next leader of the Catholic Church has usually been elected within two or three days.
But the outcome this time round was reached within 24 hours, indicating that many cardinals united around a clear favourite.
The first two or three rounds of voting are generally seen as a ‘jockeying’ for position, and it is usually not until later rounds that a winner comes forward.
Of the 252 living cardinals, 138 are under 80 and therefore eligible to vote in the conclave.
16 are based in North America, 54 in Europe, 24 in Asia, 4 in Central America, 18 in South America and 4 in Oceania.
To emerge as the next pontiff, one man needs to secure a two-thirds majority, or 89 ballots.
The frontrunner was thought to be Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, from the Philippines, who would have been the first Asian pope.
Pietro Parolin, the current secretary of state for the Vatican, was also considered to be a leading candidate.
