Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Mass as the new pontiff
He tells cardinals in the Sistine Chapel that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world"
Born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, he is the first North American to be elected pope - Donald Trump called it a "great honour"
Pope Leo, 69, is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru, which he reportedly calls his "second homeland"
"Yes, it's Rob!" - watch the moment the Pope's brother jumps for joy as he learns of his election
Watch: Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the Vatican
Nuns from the Congregation of Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were seen cheering and throwing their arms in the air as they watched the American Robert Prevost be named the Catholic Church's new pope.
Watch the moment below.
Watch moment Philadelphia nuns cheer as American pope revealed
Gonzalo Cañada
BBC Mundo, reporting from The Vatican
"It was as if we had won a world championship."
For Ela Fernandez and Rafael Aguilar, this day was doubly special. This couple are both Catholic and Peruvian. And they have just witnessed the election of a pope with Peruvian nationality.
"We know that this Pope has done great work in Peru, and we are sure that he will continue his work worldwide. That gives us great faith."
They arrived yesterday and hoped to witness the outcome of the conclave. Not only did they succeed, but they also saw the new Pope, Leo XIV, include a few lines in Spanish referring to Peru in his speech.
And what position Pope Leo XIV's ultimately takes on certain issues could have a very personal impact on this couple. Rafael is divorced, and although he understands that changes in the Church will take time, he feels that perhaps in the future, divorced people like him will be able to participate in all the sacraments.
"Let no one doubt that God and the Pope love everyone equally."
Image source, ReutersWe can bring you more reaction from world leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron calls it a "historic moment" for the Catholic Church, and extends a "message of fraternity".
"May this new pontificate be one of peace and hope," he says.
Polish President Andrzej Duda offers his "heartfelt congratulations", writing on social media: "This is a deeply moving moment for the community of the Catholic Church and for the whole world. In Poland, we are experiencing it with great emotion and hope."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offers her congratulations.
She says: "We wish that his pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue."
Canada's prime minister Mark Carney says in a post on X: "I offer my prayers and best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election."
"At a time of global challenges, may his pontificate carry forward a mission of solidarity, compassion, and dignity for all," Carney says.
The wait was not as long as many had thought - we found out around 17:00 BST (18:00 at the Vatican) that a new pope had been chosen.
It all began with white smoke. See our picture round-up below.
Image source, ReutersWhite smoke poured from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the early evening
Image source, ReutersThe sight prompted huge celebrations in St Peter's Square
Image source, ReutersRobert Prevost was announced as the new Pope, to be known as Pope Leo XIV
Image source, ReutersThere were celebrations as the identity of the new Pope was announced
Image source, ReutersThe crowd had grown significantly since the emergence of white smoke more than an hour before
Image source, ReutersPope Leo spoke from the balcony, bringing a "greeting of peace"
Ione Wells
BBC South America correspondent
We've been hearing from Edinson Farfán, the Peruvian Bishop of Chiclayo since 2024 – a role Pope Leo XIV held previously.
He said the new Pope Leo XIV would continue Pope Francis's legacy of working with the poor and advocating for "a Church with open doors" and said he was "very close to Pope Francis".
"He was undoubtedly deeply influenced by this particular church of Chiclayo," he said. "Chiclayo is a city that greatly values the simple faith of its people. He has a special affection for the diocese."
"It's his beloved diocese, it's his life. He learned here everything he can share and will share with the entire world."
He added that the church there would be celebrating the news: "Many know the cardinal - now Pope Leo XIV."
His message to the press was: "We must build consensus, seek common projects for the wellbeing of our region and - why not say it, for our country, for our beloved Peru."
"Today, we need all religious, civil, military and political authorities to walk together, to seek common great, and consensus for the well-being of our people."
Mike Wendling
Reporting from Chicago
I’ve just arrived at a church on the far south side of Chicago where Pope Leo XIV was a young parishioner and served as an altar boy.
"I'm so excited, it's a wonderful thing and I think the Church will grow and blossom from this," says local resident Mary Simons.
"When they said the new Pope was an American, I flipped out, I said 'No way'!"
St Mary of the Assumption was closed in the 1990s, locals here say, and this church has obviously suffered in the meantime - though most of the stained glass windows are still intact.
This is a working class area - and the new Pope grew up just a few streets away.
"Everybody knew everybody around here," says Jimmy Berschinski, a long-time resident who knew the Prevost family. "It's amazing that we got the Pope from here."
Pratiksha Ghildial
Senior journalist
I've just spoken to Fernando Aguilar, who is a Catholic visiting New York with his kids from Mexico. He says he is happy about the first American pope being elected, but adds that the nationality of the Pope shouldn’t matter.
"Catholics believe that God is universal. At the end of the day, it's about receiving the true word of God in your heart," he says.
And what are his expectations from the new Pope?
"The message should be that we all should love each other because that was Jesus' message," he smiles.
Fernando Aguilar with his children in New York.
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.
We've been getting reactions from all over the globe to Pope Leo XIV's election.
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.
Ione Wells
South America correspondent
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.”
Image source, EPAWorld leaders have been reacting to the election of Pope Leo XIV, with US President Donald Trump calling it a "great honour" to have an American pope.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the selection of the first pope from the US "momentous".
“The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world."
Starmer said Pope Francis's papacy showed the "special role" the Holy See has to play in bringing people together to address the issues of climate change, alleviating poverty, and promoting peace and justice.
“I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the UK and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good," Starmer added.
Hayley Ritchie
BBC Local Live, reporting from the Vatican
Among the excited Americans in the crowd at St Peter’s Square were newlyweds Amelia and Peter Stanley.
They were on the last night of their honeymoon.
“It feels incredible, we got married at St Mary Cathedral in Austin, Texas two weeks ago," Amelia says. "We were at the Colosseum [in Rome], and we saw the white smoke and said we have to be there and witness this."
"To be in the crowd and praying the Hail Mary in English while everyone else was praying in their native language, and then to say Amen together – it was a surreal feeling."
Another American tourist who was standing next to them in the crowd suggested Leo would be a good future baby name.
“We were saying, 'Do we put Leo as part of our baby name now because we were here?'” Amelia says.
“And especially to know it’s the first American pope! Honestly, I just stood there and thought, 'I’m just going to take it all in', just listen and be a part of it, it was so cool."
Laura Gozzi
Reporting from the Vatican
Image source, ReutersThousands of people are now streaming out of St Peter's Square as night falls on Rome.
Lots of them are discussing the new Pope as many didn't know much about him - "the first time I heard his name was this morning via Instagram," one woman called Gemma tells me.
She says the reaction in St Peter’s Square when his name was announced wasn't that warm. "If he'd been Italian the whole place would've lost its mind!"
A few steps away a group of young men jumping up and down shouting "Leo XVI! Leo XVI!" are immediately swarmed by cameras and journalists.
But other than that, there is a peaceful atmosphere - nobody really seems to be in a rush, and many just amble slowly down the side streets, chatting and looking for a place to have dinner.
There is an intangible but undeniable feeling that everyone in this square experienced a special moment.
"It felt historic," Gemma says.
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Image source, ReutersEven before his name was announced from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, the crowds below were chanting "Viva il Papa" - Long live the Pope.
Robert Prevost, 69, will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV.
He will be the first American to fill the role of Pope, although he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru, before becoming an archbishop there.
Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost served as an altar boy and was ordained as a priest in 1982. Although he moved to Peru three years later, he returned regularly to the US to serve as a pastor and a prior in his home city.
He has Peruvian nationality and is fondly remembered as a figure who worked with marginalised communities and helped build bridges in the local Church.
Scarlett Barter
BBC World Service, reporting from the Vatican
Lissette, an American visiting the Vatican today says she was so shocked when she heard the new Pope was to be an American - but adds it was "a good shock.”
"I couldn't stop shaking," she says.
She and her family have travelled all the way from Philadelphia for this moment.
"It’s a blessing to have the first American Pope and for us, as Americans, to be here," she says.
She hopes that the new Pope will inspire unity and peace among Americans, who she says have "strayed from God."
Image source, ReutersDonald Trump has congratulated the new Pope - the first American pontiff - describing it as an "honour" for the country.
The US president says on his social media platform, Truth Social:, external "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope.
"It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. 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!"
Image source, Vatican Media HandoutIf you are just joining us, we've just been watching as the new Pope was named.
A cardinal appeared on the balcony in St Peter’s Square to announce that American Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, had been chosen by the votes of the Conclave to be the next pontiff.
Shortly after, the new pope appeared on the balcony to cheers from the crowds filling St Peter's Square.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born pontiff delivered his first speech, bringing a "greeting of peace" and God's love to the faithful below him.
He paid tribute to his predecessor, and even spoke briefly in Spanish to thank his former diocese.
“Help us, and help each other, build bridges,” he told the crowd of more than 40,000 people in St Peter’s Square.
Laura Gozzi
Reporting from the Vatican
The new Pope has just addressed the square here in confident Italian, switching to Spanish briefly at the end when thanking his former diocese in Peru.
“I would like this greeting of peace to reach all your hearts and families… and people around the world. May peace be with you,” Pope Leo XIV began as the square fell silent.
At other moments, his address was met with frequent warm applause, especially when the new Pope mentioned peace and the late Pope Francis.
He also insisted on the need for unity, and at the end asked everyone to join together in prayer.
When he began reciting Ave Maria, a deep hum rose as the square followed suit, with some signing in their own languages.
Pope Leo has just finished speaking from the balcony above St Peter's Square - see these striking images of his address:
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor, reporting from the Vatican
There had been talk that cardinals felt the new pope would need to be someone who would take forward Pope Francis's legacy of reaching out to those on the margins, but also bring along with him a wide spectrum of those within the Church, including those Pope Francis was sometimes at loggerheads with.
Going into conclave, Cardinal Robert Prevost was thought of by observers as a candidate who could fulfil that role - someone who could be a bridge between different worlds.
The fact the conclave came to a decision in just four rounds of voting suggests the cardinals agreed with that assessment.