Robert Francis Prevost elected as new pope

Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the new pope.

The 69-year-old is the first American pope in history and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV emerged onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica as a packed St Peter’s Square erupted in cheers and applause.

Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has extensive experience in Peru as a missionary and later as an Archbishop.

The new pontiff is the 267th Pope, becoming the religious leader of some 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe and someone believed to be called as the successor to St Peter, who was the first.

Robert Francis Prevost elected as new pope EBU

He was previously the Vatican’s prefect, overseeing the vetting of nominations from bishops around the world.

Francis appointed him to run the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014, a role he held until 2023, when he was brought to Rome.

Pope Leo XIV is a dual citizen, holding nationality in both America and Peru.

While he is seen overall as a centrist, on some key social issues, he is viewed as progressive and has long embraced marginalized groups.

First Minister John Swinney congratulated Cardinal Robert Prevost on becoming the next Pope.

He said: “On behalf of the people of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Cardinal Prevost who has been elected by the College of Cardinals to be the next Pope.

“This is a momentous moment for Catholics here in Scotland and around the world.

“I know that Cardinal Prevost, who has taken the name of Pope Leo XIV, will assume his office with humility, respect and peace.”

US President Donald Trump said he will “look forward to meeting” Pope Leo XIV in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” president Trump said.

“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!”

Crowds had been joyously waving flags and chanting “Habemus Papam” – the Latin for “we have a Pope” – since white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel shortly after 5pm UK time on Thursday.

Christine Allen, director and chief executive of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development said: “Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, will be a voice of wisdom in a fractured and divided world, as he continues the important work of leading the church in the world and providing spiritual and moral guidance to the global community.

“Having spent years in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, brings with him the vital perspective of the Global South, elevating voices from the margins to centre stage.

“Now more than ever the world needs a strong and steadfast moral voice that can draw attention to the most important issues in our world: the crippling debt crisis – a key focus of this Jubilee Year – which prevents low-income countries from spending on health and education for their people; the climate crisis and the conflicts blighting our world.

“This election reflected a global Church, with cardinals from every corner of the world voting – bringing a broader outlook to addressing today’s global issues.

“Saint Pope John Paul II, and Popes Benedict and Francis all spoke powerfully on climate change and the debt crisis as two of the most pressing issues of their time, and we look forward to working with the Vatican and Pope Leo XIV, to continue and strengthen this work in response to today’s challenges.

“The Pope is the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, and an important player on the global stage. He is one of the few people who can bridge political divides and bring world leaders together for the common good.

“He will be in our prayers.”

The College of Cardinals, the Church’s most senior officials, gathered in Rome to choose the successor.

Shortly after 5pm UK time on Thursday, crowds in St Peter’s Square bore witness to history as white smoke billowed into the air from a specially-erected chimney at the chapel, in the age-old tradition.

Onlookers erupted into cheers and applause as bells tolled to confirm the news.

Around 40,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square awaiting the new Pope’s arrival.

Some 133 cardinals entered the chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with the secret conclave meeting getting underway behind closed doors shortly before 5pm UK time, as the group was cut off from all communications with the outside world.

The timing means it took cardinals only around 24 hours to elect their new leader.

Each of the electors, mostly dressed in distinctive bright red vestments, had taken an oath pledging secrecy ahead of the process of casting anonymous ballots for their chosen name.

The voting cardinals – those aged under 80 who were the only ones eligible to cast a ballot – were urged to “invoke the help of the Holy Spirit” to help them elect a pope “whom the Church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history”.

This conclave was thought to be one of the most diverse of any meeting of cardinals before, representing some 70 countries and hailing from places like Mongolia, Sweden and Tonga, which had not had a cardinal before.

Pope Francis had appointed some 108 of the 133 cardinals who took part in the conclave to choose his successor.

White smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel EBU

Francis was vocal on politics, speaking out against war and climate change, as he urged more focus on the poor and downtrodden of the world.

His funeral last month drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, including world leaders such as US president Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Such was Francis’s popularity, he was dubbed by many to have been “the people’s pope”.

SCIAF’s chief executive Lorraine Currie said: “As the first Pope from the US and with extensive experience working and living in Latin America, we know Pope Leo XIV will bring a unique global perspective to his papacy. Known as a humble servant who believes in walking closely with those who are suffering, the new Pope’s emphasis on bridge-building and social justice signal a hopeful new chapter for the church and the world.

“We look forward to working alongside the Holy Father in his mission to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world and uphold the dignity of the poorest and most vulnerable.

“Any Pope quickly becomes a major historical figure. We hope that Pope Leo’s era will be marked by peace, justice and the building of a better world for all.”