Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, becoming the first pope to hail from the USA.
He will assume the title of Pope Leo XIV.
Cheers rang out across St Peter’s Square as white smoke emerged from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel just after 3am AEST, signalling that a new Pope had been elected.
The decision came on just the second day of the conclave.
Crowds quickly grew in the square to await the announcement before Cardinal Prevost was unveiled as the new Pope.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1956 and is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine.
He has dedicated much of his ministry to serving impoverished and marginalised communities, particularly during his missionary work in Peru over a decade.
Pope Leo emerged on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, waving to the crowd before beginning his first remarks as head of the Catholic Church.
“Peace be with you all.”
