CARDINAL Robert Prevost from the US has been elected as Pope – here’s everything you need to know.
The announcement of the new pope was made as clouds of white smoke or fumata bianca emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, as a bell rang.
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Who is the new pope Robert Prevost?
Prevost was born in Chicago in 1955 to immigrant parents of French, Italian and Spanish descent.
After graduating from Villanova University in Pennsylvania with a degree in maths, the future pontiff joined the Order of St Augustine, taking his vows in 1978.
Ordained as a priest four years ago, he joined a mission in Peru where he spent many years heading up a seminary.
Returning to the US in 1999, he then met controversy when he allowed alleged child abuser Father James Ray to reside at a friary in Chicago.
White smoke erupted from the Vatican at around 5pm as a signal that the new pontiff had been chosen.
The Pope greeted the world for the first time on the balcony in the iconic St Peter’s Basilica overlooking St Peter’s Square.
The newly elected pontiff appeared in papal robes – complete with a white silk sash and skullcap and red leather shoes.
Crowds of faithful Catholics erupted with joy and were seen cheering as they patiently waited to find out who the new Pope would be.
It comes after black smoke billowed from the chimney this morning, meaning no new pontiff had been selected.
The new pontiff was chosen in an ancient ritual that has remained unchanged for 1,000 years.
The historic event saw 133 cardinals take part in multiple rounds of voting beginning on Wednesday, until a clear winner was decided.
What name will he take?
The first-ever American Pope, aged 69, has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
In his first words, he said “Peace be with you.”
The new Pope continued: “Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue and is open to receives everybody,” he says.
Shortly afterwards the pontiff was heard speaking in Spanish, saying: “I would particularly like to say hello to my compatriots from Peru.
“It was a great pleasure for me to work in Peru.”
Previous pope
The conclave was initiated after the death of Pope Francis at 88 on the morning of Easter Monday, following a battle with pneumonia.
Pope Francis was anointed in 2013 when he took over from Pope Benedict XVI who stepped back from the role due to ill health in an incredibly rare move.
Pope Francis made history when he became the first leader of the Catholic Church from the Americas.
The then 76-year-old Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was given his new name after he was elected to succeed Pope Benedict XVI on March 13, 2013.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, to Italian immigrants.
The Argentine had worked as a bouncer before turning to the priesthood after recovering from pneumonia back in 1958.
Francis was ordained a priest on 13 December 1969 and trained in Spain for a year before moving back to Argentina.
Francis took over the role of Pope in 2014, and was seen as an outspoken moderniser, reformist and progressive.
He had championed the decriminalisation of homosexuality, warned against threats to democracy, and supported the cause of refugees.
When he became the Pope, he shunned a grand papal apartment and chose to live in a modest two-room residence.
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