In a powerful tribute, the 16th-century bell rang out at 8 p.m. in the southern city of Kraków, its sound echoing across the area, state news agency PAP reported.
Less than an hour earlier, Prevost was announced as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Born in Chicago and aged 69, Prevost has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru and holds dual US and Peruvian citizenship, according to reports.
He became a cardinal in 2023 and is the first pope from North America.
The 13-tonne Royal Sigismund Bell, housed at Kraków's Wawel Cathedral since 1521, has long accompanied the Polish nation during moments of historic and spiritual significance.
Photo: PAP/Łukasz Gągulski
Top Polish leaders on Thursday offered congratulations to the newly elected pontiff, wishing him a successful papacy.
Polish philosopher and ethicist Andrzej Szostek said many hope the swift election of Pope Leo XIV will help heal divisions that emerged during the often-polarizing, 12-year pontificate of Pope Francis.
Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. He led the Church from 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
The Sigismund Bell also tolled that day to mourn his passing.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVN24
Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Michał Owczarek.