US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the new pope

Senior cardinal Dominique Mamberti came out onto St Peter’s balcony to announce the new pope to cheering crowds as thousands of people gathered in the square below, saying the famous Latin words: “Habemus Papam”, meaning “we have a pope”.

The 69-year-old will take the name Leo XIV – and greet thousands of faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica as the new head of the Catholic Church.

Speaking in Italian, the pontiff says Pope Francis was always “courageous and blessed Rome”.

“The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning,” he says.

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

“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.”

The pope went on to speak in Spanish, nodding to his time as a missionary, and said: “I would particularly like to say hello to my compatriots from Peru.

“It was a great pleasure for me to work in Peru.”

The new pontiff was chosen on the second day of the conclave after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel at just after 5pm (UK time) on Thursday.

Some 133 cardinals gathered in Rome before being led into the Sistine Chapel on 7 May to start the conclave – the secretive process to decide the new pontiff.

They handed over their phones before entering the building, which had been swept for hidden cameras, recording equipment, and bugs.

The windows were also covered to keep the outside world out and to stop drones from spying.

Each cardinal swore an oath of secrecy. They did not emerge from the Vatican until the new pope was chosen.

To be elected, the new pontiff had to win a two-thirds majority (89 votes). Afterwards, he was asked whether he accepted the papacy and by which name he wished to be known.

When the pope was chosen, the ballots were burned in a stove with an additive to produce white smoke that billowed from a chimney to alert onlookers that the decision had been made.

Previously, the ballots were burned with an additive to produce black smoke, indicating that the pope had not yet been chosen.

The election comes after Pope Francis died on 21 April at the age of 88 from a stroke and heart failure.

More than 250,000 people gathered at the Vatican for his funeral on 27 April.

Pope Leo XIV makes his appearance on the famous Balcony facing St. Peter’s Square

Pope Leo XIV Waves Crowd from the Balcony