Who is Pope Leo XIV? Everything we know about Robert Prevost the new pope

The conclave decided to elect American Robert Prevost as Pope Francis' successor on Thursday

Robert Prevost has been elected the first American pope in history and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

The pontiff is the 267th Pope, becoming the religious leader of Catholics across the globe and someone believed to be called to be the successor to St Peter, who was the first.

Pope Francis brought the 69-year-old from Chicago to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world - one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.

As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.

He had served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023.

He previously served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023, and was prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.

Prevost joined the Order of St. Augustine in September 1977. He took his first vows to the order in September 1978 and his solemn vows in August 1981

Born in Chicago, in 2015 Pope Leo XIV became a naturalized citizen of Peru.

Christine Allen, director and chief executive of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development said: “Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, will be a voice of wisdom in a fractured and divided world, as he continues the important work of leading the church in the world and providing spiritual and moral guidance to the global community.

“Having spent years in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, brings with him the vital perspective of the Global South, elevating voices from the margins to centre stage.

“Now more than ever the world needs a strong and steadfast moral voice that can draw attention to the most important issues in our world: the crippling debt crisis – a key focus of this Jubilee Year – which prevents low-income countries from spending on health and education for their people; the climate crisis and the conflicts blighting our world.

“This election reflected a global Church, with cardinals from every corner of the world voting – bringing a broader outlook to addressing today’s global issues.

“Saint Pope John Paul II, and Popes Benedict and Francis all spoke powerfully on climate change and the debt crisis as two of the most pressing issues of their time, and we look forward to working with the Vatican and Pope Leo XIV, to continue and strengthen this work in response to today’s challenges.

“The Pope is the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, and an important player on the global stage. He is one of the few people who can bridge political divides and bring world leaders together for the common good.

“He will be in our prayers.”

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has described the appointment of Pope Leo XIV as a “day of profound significance” urging the American Pope to stand with Gaza.

In a post on X, she wrote: “This is a day of profound significance for Catholics in Ireland and worldwide, as Pope Leo XIV assumes his role of spiritual leader.

“I hope he will use his influence to stand up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with courage and compassion – just as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did.

“As the genocide in Gaza continues and a devastating famine looms, I encourage the Pope to stand unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian people to life, dignity, and freedom, and to urgently use his influence to help bring an end to this barbaric genocide.”

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.

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 of the announcement means it took cardinals only around 24 hours to elect their new leader.

More to follow...