Robert Prevost becomes first American Pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIV

Summary
The new Pope is Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV – the first American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church

Prevost, 69, is greeted with huge cheers from thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square

“May peace be with all of you,” he says from the Vatican balcony

Chicago-born Prevost is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there

World leaders have been congratulating Pope Leo XIV, with US President Donald Trump calling it a “great honour” to have an American Pope

US Vice-President JD Vance has joined Trump and other global leaders in congratulating the new Pope.

“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!” Vance said in a post on X.

“I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”

Vance, who converted to Catholicism as an adult, met Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis, on Easter Sunday, the day before the late Pope died.

Standing outside St Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, Andy Richter told BBC News the new Pope is a “surprising yet splendid” choice.

Richter was sitting in a doctor’s office when he learned the result and said he was in “absolute shock” and “absolutely thrilled” to have an American Pope.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the good work that will continue under Pope Leo XIV’s tutelage,” he said, adding he is pleased the new Pope will represent the Americas through his Peruvian connection.

Pope Leo XIV worked in Peru for many years.

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has welcomed a “historic moment for Peru and the world” after the election of the new Pope.

As a reminder, while Pope Leo XIV was born in the US, he obtained Peruvian citizenship after working in the country for many years.

President Boluarte said the new Pope was a “Peruvian citizen by choice and heart. He chose to be one of us, live among us and carry in his heart the faith and culture of this nation.”

BBC News