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 go by the name of Pope Leo XIV, has become the 267th Pope. This makes him the religious leader of Catholics worldwide and the first American pope in history.
Cardinal Mamberti revealed his name by proclaiming ‘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 initial address, Pope Leo greeted the crowd with ‘Peace be with you’, emphasizing a message of peace and open dialogue ‘without fear.’ He acknowledged his roots as an Augustinian priest but emphasized that above all, he is a Christian and a bishop, encouraging unity in the journey ahead.
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.
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 yielded a result.
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.
