US cardinal Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV

By StephenRigley

American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pope.

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Prevost was unveiled on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, becoming the first American to lead the Catholic church.

The pontiff, named Pope Leo, is the 267th catholic leader and someone believed to be called to be the successor to St Peter, who was the first.

Speaking from the balcony, he said: "Courageous and blessed Rome".

"The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning," he said.

"Let us follow up that blessing. God loves us and God loves all of you. Sin will not prevail, we are all in the hands of God.

"Together we must try to find out how to be a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogue and is open to receives everybody."

Read More: Cardinals hold first vote for new Pope as world waits for smoke to emerge

Read More: UK cardinal asks for prayer as conclave begins and world watches for new pope

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.

Some 133 cardinals entered the chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with the secret conclave meeting getting under way behind closed doors shortly before 5pm UK time, as the group were 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.

Welcoming the new Pope, President Donald Trump said: "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.

"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!"

At a special mass ahead of the conclave, cardinals were reminded of the "choice of exceptional importance" they must make.

Three UK cardinals took part in conclave - Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Rome-based Cardinal Arthur Roche.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is Irish-born, is seen as an American cardinal having ministered mainly in the US.

Cardinal Nichols had called on people to pray for himself and other cardinals as they embarked on the secret voting process, adding that he felt "quite intimidated" knowing the world was watching to see who they would choose.

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".

In the mass in St Peter's Basilica ahead of conclave, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said the pontiff would need to be a person who can "awaken the consciences of all and the moral and spiritual energies in today's society, characterised by great technological progress but which tends to forget God".

Once a new Pope accepts his election, it is usual that he would appear fairly quickly thereafter on the front balcony of St Peter's Basilica which overlooks St Peter's Square.

An announcement in Latin of "Habemus Papam" - meaning "we have a Pope" is made alongside the new pontiff's appearance.

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.

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".

The election came after two days of voting in the conclave, and 17 days after the death of Pope Francis.

Following the secret vote, the new pope will state his papal name before moving to the Room of Tears where he receives his papal robes.

He will then introduce himself to the faithful waiting in St Peter’s square.The pope, who will be the 267th, will take immediate charge of the Vatican, leading the Catholic Church and holding authority over its 1.4 billion followers.