26 minutes ago

Live: US-born Cardinal Robert Prevost named as Pope Leo XIV

26 minutes ago
Newly elected Pope Robert Francis Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Robert Francis Prevost was on Thursday elected the first pope from the United States, the Vatican announced. A moderate who was close to Pope Francis and spent years as a missionary in Peru, he becomes the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff, taking the papal name Leo XIV. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

Newly elected Pope Leo arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time. Photo: AFP / Andrej Isakovic

Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Friday (NZT), taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first US-born pontiff. Follow all the reaction and updates here.

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