As it happened: Robert Prevost becomes first American pope and will be known as Leo XIV

US Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff. Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signifying the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church. "Peace be with you all," the new pope told the cheering crowd, speaking in fluent Italian. He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address but did not say anything in English. The last pope to take the name Leo led the Church from 1878-1903. Leo XIII was known for his devoted focus to social justice issues, and is often credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was among world leaders congratulating the new pope. "May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity," Sanchez said. Prevost has attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis, especially his commitment to social justice issues. President Donald Trump swiftly congratulated Prevost on becoming the first US 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!" Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated new pope Leo on his election on Thursday and said he trusted that constructive dialogue would be maintained, based on Christian values, Russian news agencies quoted the Kremlin as saying. "I am certain that the constructive dialogue and interaction that has been established between Russia and the Vatican will develop further on the basis of the Christian values that unite us," news agencies quoted Putin as saying. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated new Pope Leo on his election on Thursday and expressed hope for the Vatican's support for Kyiv's efforts to secure justice and a lasting peace after more than three years of war with Russia. "In this decisive moment for our country, we hope for further moral and spiritual support from the Vatican for Ukraine's efforts aimed at restoring justice and achieving a lasting peace," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. The choice of Prevost was announced by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) to tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square to hear the news. Aged 69 and originally from Chicago, Prevost has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023. He has given few media interviews and rarely speaks in public. Robert Francis Prevost at the funeral of Pope Francis last month. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death last month of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years and widely sought to open the staid institution up to the modern world. Prevost has attracted interest from his peers because of his quiet style and support for Francis, especially his commitment to social justice issues. Prevost served as a bishop in Chiclayo, in northwestern Peru, from 2015 to 2023. Francis brought him to Rome that year to head the Vatican office in charge of choosing which priests should serve as Catholic bishops across the globe, meaning he has had a hand in selecting many of the world's bishops. Prevost said during a 2023 Vatican press conference: "Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church." Francis enacted a range of reforms and allowed debate on divisive issues such as women's ordination and better inclusion of LGBT Catholics. Leo thanked Francis in his speech and repeated his predecessor's call for a Church that is engaged with the modern world and "is always looking for peace, charity and being close to people, especially those who are suffering". Ahead of the conclave, some cardinals called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, while others said they wanted to turn back the clock and embrace old traditions. The last pope to take the name Leo led the Church from 1878-1903 and was known for his devoted focus to social justice issues, and is often credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was among the world leaders congratulating Cardinal Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV. "The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St. Peter’s Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new Pope," Mr Martin said. "I hope that this groundswell of best wishes towards Pope Leo XIV will give him strength and support as he takes on the immense responsibility of his pontificate. I know that he has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions. "I also send my congratulations to the people of the United States, a country with which Ireland enjoys such a deep and strong relationship. To have a Pope from their country is a source of great pride and an honour for their nation." Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has described the appointment of Pope Leo XIV as a “day of profound significance” urging the American Pope to stand with Gaza. In a post on X, she wrote: “This is a day of profound significance for Catholics in Ireland and worldwide, as Pope Leo XIV assumes his role of spiritual leader. “I hope he will use his influence to stand up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with courage and compassion – just as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did. “As the genocide in Gaza continues and a devastating famine looms, I encourage the Pope to stand unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian people to life, dignity, and freedom, and to urgently use his influence to help bring an end to this barbaric genocide.” The election came on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls on Wednesday afternoon. A joyous crowd in St Peter's Square cheered and applauded on Thursday evening as the first puffs of smoke emerged from a small chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals held holding their secret ballot. "Long Live the Pope!" the crowds cheered in bright sunshine. "We have a pope!" said one sign held aloft. Sister Mona Lisa, a Brazilian nun, was in the square waving a Brazilian flag, in tears. “I am so happy we have a pope,” she said. During the conclave their only communication with the outside world was through the smoke emerging from the chimney – black for no pope yet picked, white signalling a new pontiff chosen by a majority of at least two-thirds. The cardinals held an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening and a further two followed on Thursday morning. They returned to the Sistine Chapel at 5pm Irish time and at about 5.08pm the white smoke emerged. White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Photo: AFP via Getty During the conclave, cardinals were sequestered from the world and sworn to secrecy, their phones and computers confiscated, while they were shuttled between the Sistine Chapel for voting and two Vatican guesthouses to sleep and dine. The average number of ballots it has taken to be elected over the past 10 conclaves was 7.2. Francis was elected after five in 2013. More to follow...

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