Thousands filled the streets of Vatican City and cheered as Prevost's name was announced by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The announcement came shortly after white smoke emerged from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signalling that a secret conclave of Roman Catholic cardinals had elected a new pope.
Robert Prevost. Photo: EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI Dostawca: PAP/EPA.
The bells of St. Peter's Basilica tolled after the 133 cardinals, including four from Poland, chose a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.
The election came on the first full day of voting by the cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the chapel's closed doors on Wednesday afternoon, the Reuters news agency reported.
Born in Chicago and aged 69, Prevost has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023, it said.
Ahead of the conclave, some cardinals said that a swift election of the new pope would signal unity after the often-divisive 12-year papacy of Francis, according to Reuters.
Francis, who was elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, died on April 21 at age 88.
He was the first pontiff from Latin America and the first Jesuit pope.
Prevost is the first North American pope in history, broadcaster CNN reported.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info, Reuters, CNN