Conclave live: America’s Robert Francis Prevost announced as new pope

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Conclave ; America’s Robert Francis Prevost announced as new pope.

Habemus Papam: Pope Leo XIV

The new pope, US cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

It’s been a long while since we had a pope with this name: last Leo, Leo XIII, was elected in 1878 and served until his death in 1903.

Despite the Vatican’s longstanding opposition to the idea of a pope from the US because of the country’s superpower status and secular global influence, the moderate, Chicago-born Prevost is still one to watch.

Created a cardinal by Francis in 2023, the former leader of the Augustinian order was also appointed by the late pope to the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the selection of new bishops from around the world.

Those senior roles, combined with the fact that he has significant missionary experience in Peru, having served as bishop of the northern city of Chiclayo, may go some way to redeeming him in the eyes of those who would not usually countenance the idea of an American pope.

It will be the French cardinal protodeacon Dominique Mamberti who will announce the new pope to the world, with the historic phrase: “Habemus Papam!”.

Unless, that it, he is the one who was elected!

Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presides over the ninth Novendiale Mass during the mourning period for Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Basilica earlier this month. — Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presides over the ninth Novendiale Mass during the mourning period for Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica earlier this month. Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images.

Joy in Vatican – in pictures

Priests embrace each other as they react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Claudia Greco/Reuters

Priests react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters

Nuns react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters

‘Incredible moment in history’ – first reactions from pilgrims

Swiss guards march at the St. Peter’s Square after white smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Claudia Greco/Reuters

**Raul Paredes** and his family, from Colombia, were dancing with flags of their home country draped over their shoulders as the bells of St Peter’s Basilica confirmed that a new pope had been found.

The family had booked their visit to Rome in December and had been hoping to see the late Pope Francis. “But then Francis got sick and suddenly died,” said Paredes. “But still, we crossed the Atlantic to be here for this incredible moment in history.”

Parades admired Francis because, as a divorced Catholic, he felt welcomed by the church. “I hope we now get someone similar.”

‘Never seen anything like it’ – joy inside St Peter’s Square

A man holds a placard reading “Habemus Papa” (We Have a Pope) after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

There was a huge rush of journalists from the Vatican’s press centre who ran out on to the square to capture the immediate reaction.

The rumour, the feeling that it would happen today was starting to build throughout the day. That seems to have begun when Cardinal Battista Re said this morning that he hopes to see the white smoke today.

The atmosphere is **absolutely incredible,** I have never seen anything like it.

Swiss guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP

Large crowds celebrate on St Peter’s Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
**Source ; The guardian**

Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti presides over the ninth Novendiale Mass during the mourning period for Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica earlier this month. Photograph: Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis/Getty Images.

Joy in Vatican – in pictures

Priests embrace each other as they react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Claudia Greco/Reuters

Priests react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters

Nuns react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected. Photograph: Marko Đurica/Reuters

‘Incredible moment in history’ – first reactions from pilgrims

Swiss guards march at the St. Peter’s Square after white smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Claudia Greco/Reuters

**Raul Paredes** and his family, from Colombia, were dancing with flags of their home country draped over their shoulders as the bells of St Peter’s Basilica confirmed that a new pope had been found.

The family had booked their visit to Rome in December and had been hoping to see the late Pope Francis. “But then Francis got sick and suddenly died,” said Paredes. “But still, we crossed the Atlantic to be here for this incredible moment in history.”

Parades admired Francis because, as a divorced Catholic, he felt welcomed by the church. “I hope we now get someone similar.”

‘Never seen anything like it’ – joy inside St Peter’s Square

A man holds a placard reading “Habemus Papa” (We Have a Pope) after white smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

There was a huge rush of journalists from the Vatican’s press centre who ran out on to the square to capture the immediate reaction.

The rumour, the feeling that it would happen today was starting to build throughout the day. That seems to have begun when Cardinal Battista Re said this morning that he hopes to see the white smoke today.

The atmosphere is **absolutely incredible,** I have never seen anything like it.

Swiss guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel where 133 cardinals are gathering on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. Photograph: Markus Schreiber/AP

Large crowds celebrate on St Peter’s Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
**Source ; The guardian**

Conclave ; America’s Robert Francis Prevost announced as new pope.

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