In a historic feat, the Conclave has returned American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
His election was symbolically confirmed by the billow of white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel in which the cardinals were secluded ahead of polling.
His identity was later formally announced at the balcony of St. Peter Square.
The Square from which the Pope regularly speaks to Rome and the rest of the world, is named after Biblical Apostle Peter, whom Catholics hold as the first Pope.
Today’s election is the quickest in the history of the church, happening on the second day of polling and the fourth round of voting.
The 69 year old Cardinal was elected by 133 – member college of Cardinals drawn from 70 countries and five continents.
To be elected Pope, a Cardinal must have two-thirds, about 66 per cent, of the total votes cast at a round of polling at the Conclave.
A total of 80 of the Cardinals who polled in today’ s Conclave were appointed by the last Pope Francis who was from Argentina.
