Robert Prevost has been named as the new Pope and will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel.
Robert Prevost, 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.
According to Daily Mail, 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.
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.
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.
