American-born Robert Francis Prevost elected 267th Pope

In a historic first for the Catholic Church, American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the 267th pope, taking the papal name Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV emerged after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter’s Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.

“Peace be with you,” he told the crowds.

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals’ second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter’s Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.

Pope Leo XIV succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 after a 12-year papacy marked by reform and global engagement.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which has been fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th pope.

The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name.

Some 133 “Princes of the Church” from five continents — the largest and most international conclave ever — began voting on Wednesday afternoon.

Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

On Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday lunchtime, the smoke was black, eliciting disappointed sighs from the tens of thousands watching.

But on Thursday afternoon just after 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.

Born in Chicago and aged 69, Leo XIV is the first American to ascend to the papacy. A member of the Augustinian order, he holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru and spent much of his ministry as a bishop and missionary in Latin America.

In 2023, he was appointed by Pope Francis to head the Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops, a powerful position that raised his global profile within Church leadership.

In his first address from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV greeted the gathered faithful with the words, “Peace be with you,” striking a tone of calm, continuity, and unity.