American Robert Francis Prevost elected new Pope

The American Robert Francis Prevost has been elected Pope. At 19.24 local time, he stepped onto the balcony of St Peter's to greet the faithful for the first time as Leo XIV.

"Peace be with you all," were the first words of the new Pope. "I hope this message reaches your families, your people and the whole world." At the age of 69, Leo XIV becomes the 267th Pope and the first American to hold the title.

Born in Chicago, he spent many years as prior of the Augustinian order and served as a missionary in Peru, where he eventually became archbishop.

Known as a reformer, Pope Leo XIV faces high expectations as well as internal challenges, not least the deep divisions within the American church.

It took the 133 cardinals two days of deliberation before they reached a decision on the next Pope.

^{© PHOTO ALESSIA GIULIANI / IPA-AGENCY.NET / IPA / SIPA USA}

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