Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, flanked by media photographers and clergymen, waves from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, greets the faithful as he appears from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Pool - Corbis / Getty Images

This blog has now ended

World

The election of Pope Leo XIV — as it happened

Cardinal Robert Prevost, considered a surprise choice for leader of the Catholic Church, has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, flanked by media photographers and clergymen, waves from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, greets the faithful as he appears from the Central Loggia of St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Pool - Corbis / Getty Images

Published

Updated

Source: SBS, Reuters, AAP

Share this with family and friends

PINNED
19h ago
That's a wrap
Thank you for joining our live coverage.

We found out this morning that Cardinal Robert Prevost, a little-known missionary from Chicago, had been elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church. He's taken the name Pope Leo XIV and it's expected that his orientation as pontiff will be somewhat similar to that of Pope Francis.

Here are some key moments from the day:
  • Pope Leo XIV addressed a somewhat confused crowd on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica — many of whom did not know his name. In his speech, Leo spoke in Spanish and Italian and thanked his predecessor.
  • US President Donald Trump said Leo's appointment as the first North American pontiff was a "great honour for our country". However, the MAGA movement has criticised his appointment after unverified posts on X surfaced, showing Leo had previously criticised the policies and opinions of both Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new pope had arrived at an "important time" for the Catholic church and extended an invite for him to visit Australia in 2028.
  • Pope Leo XIV is considered to be somewhat progressive. However, he has previously stated his opposition to women being ordained as priests. A clerical abuse advocacy group also expressed "grave concern" over his election, saying he had previously failed to take action against suspected predatory priests.
- Alexandra Koster
20h ago
American Catholics say Leo's appointment a 'message' against Donald Trump
Onlookers at Saint Peter's Square have said they believe it was "no coincidence" that a cardinal from the United States was chosen as the new pontiff.

"I'm thrilled. I'm ecstatic," one person travelling from the US told SBS News chief international correspondent Ben Lewis.

"It's a message that the cardinals chose to send to the world — that we want a pope who is American, who brings a message of peace," she said. "It needs to contrast the message that our president has been preaching."

"It's by no coincidence that the first [North] American pope was elected while we're dealing with this kind of division and hatred that our American president has been sowing."

"The way I experience it, my first reaction is that electing an American pope in this specific moment in history, in our world, is a message against the message [US President Donald] Trump has been sending."

- Alexandra Koster
20h ago
Filipino Australians welcome Leo, still hold out hope for Tagle
Members of the Filipino community in Australia have thrown their support behind Pope Leo XIV while expressing hope that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle — previously a popular potential successor to Pope Francis — would one day take on the role.

Denny Geronimo Jr is a devout Catholic from Melbourne.

He said that, if the Philippines' Tagle were to become pope in the future, "it would be icing on the cake".

"It's a challenging time for the Catholic community and I feel like there are heaps of things that need to be done and voices to be heard," he told SBS Filipino.
A man in catholic robes
Cardinal Luis Tagle, 67, was a popular choice to be the next pope. Source: AP / Andrew Medichini
"I hope that the Catholic church will continue to listen to everyone and will be more open ... I hope they'll be open to more changes."

"It's very big shoes to fill in."

Tagle was one of the favourites going into the conclave. He has been called the "Asian Francis" and is committed to progressive social justice.
- SBS Filipino team
21h ago
'USA, USA, USA' chants in Saint Peter's Square
SBS News chief international correspondent Ben Lewis was in the Vatican when the election of Pope Leo XIV was announced.

Here's some of what he saw:
- Alexandra Koster
21h ago
Newly elected pope previously opposed female ordination
Pope Leo XIV has previously stated his opposition to the idea of women being ordained as priests, saying that the Catholic Church wasn't a mirror image of society and "needs to be different."

In
a 2023 interview with the Catholic News Agency
, Cardinal Robert Prevost said that, although women should assume significant leadership roles in society, there wasn't "an immediate parallel" to positions in the Roman Catholic Church.

"It isn’t as simple as saying that, 'You know, at this stage we're going to change the tradition of the Church after 2,000 years on any one of those points,'" he said at the time.

"I think there will be a continuing recognition of the fact that women can add a great deal to the life of the Church on many different levels," he added, citing Pope Francis' appointment of women to senior secretarial roles.

— Zacharias Szumer
23h ago
MAGA movement criticises Pope Leo XIV's appointment
As mentioned in an earlier blog post, Pope Leo XIV has previously made a handful of disapproving posts about the policies of United States President Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance via the X account of Robert Prevost, his name before starting the pontificate.

In response, Leo's appointment has drawn criticism from prominent supporters of Trump's Make America Great Again movement such as
Laura Loomer
and Charlie Kirk.

"He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis," Loomer wrote on X.
"Pope Leo XIV: Registered Chicago Republican and pro-life warrior OR Open borders globalist installed to counter Trump?" Kirk wrote.

Trump and Vance have publicly welcomed the new pope and White House officials did not comment about the criticisms on Prevost's account.

The new pope shares some policy similarities with the Trump team. He opposes abortion, as do Trump and Vance.
READ MORE

Abortion protections in the US and abroad revoked after Trump addresses 'pro-life' rally

But he supports work to combat climate change, according to a post urging followers to sign a Catholic climate petition. Trump removed the US from the Paris climate accord that fights global warming.

He has also spoken out against racism. At the height of the 2020 racial justice movement that swept the globe after the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, Prevost retweeted a series of posts on his then Twitter account, urging the eradication of prejudice and hatred.

Trump has
done away with diversity, equity and inclusion policies
within the federal government and among its contractors, tools that supporters say were used to fight back against a US history of racial discrimination and bias.
READ MORE

'Standing firm': Could the Donald Trump effect threaten Australia's workforce diversity?

— Reuters
1 day ago
'For us, the pope is Peruvian'
In the small coastal Peruvian city of Chiclayo, where newly elected Pope Leo XIV served as bishop from 2015 to 2023, Catholics took to the streets and church bells rang on Thursday to celebrate the election of the former missionary who they embrace as one of their own.

The faithful gathered in front of the cathedral in the heat after white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, signalling the selection of a new pope.

As the announcement was made, they jumped and cheered. Bells tolled around the city.
A group of Peruvians celebrates the election of Leo XIV with a jubilant selfie.
Catholics at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima, Peru, celebrate the election of US-Peruvian Robert Prevost as Pope. Source: EFE / Renato Pajuelo / EPA / AAP
"We are excited by this blessing from God," Jesús León Ángeles, who is coordinator of a Catholic group in Chiclayo and has known Prevost since 2018, told Reuters by phone.

"We had been praying since yesterday when the conclave of cardinals began at the Vatican to elect the pope."

León Ángeles said she had worked closely with Prevost on a number of charitable and social assistance projects in Chiclayo and nearby Trujillo, and in other impoverished towns across the country.

She told Reuters previously that Prevost was humble and down-to-earth, as well as being a person who liked to help others.

"He is someone who has leadership skills, but is also a good listener," she said before the election. "He has that virtue. He is very well-liked, we love him very much, he is not an arrogant person."
A woman holds a photo of Bishop Robert Prevost as two women behind her stand with jubilant expressions.
Catholic faithful hold a photo of Bishop Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, in front of the Cathedral of Chiclayo in Peru, where he served as bishop for several years. Source: AP / Manuel Medina/AP
In the Plaza de Armas, the main square of Peru's capital Lima, dozens of people gathered at the cathedral next to the government palace.

"In the office we were waiting anxiously for the white smoke to see who would be elected Holy Father," said lawyer Carolina Flores.

"It is a tremendous gift from heaven that he is Peruvian. For us the pope is Peruvian. He is Peruvian because he has lived decades in Peru, he was a bishop in Chiclayo," she said.

— Reuters
1 day ago
Palestinian Christians hope new pope's 'heart will remain with Gaza'
Gaza's tiny Christian community said that they were happy about the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, adding they were also confident he would give importance to the war-torn enclave like his predecessor Pope Francis did.

"We are happy about the election of the Pope ... We hope that his heart will remain with Gaza like Pope Francis," George Antone, 44, head of the emergency committee at the Holy Family Church in Gaza, told Reuters.
Several clergymen lead a ceremony in a dimly lit church
Christian Palestinians attend a special prayer for the late Pope Francis after the news of his death at age 88, at the Holy Family Church in the Old City of Gaza on 21 April 2025. Source: AP / Photo / Jehad Alshrafi
The late Pope Francis
, who campaigned for peace for the devastated enclave, called the church hours after the war in Gaza began in October 2023, the start of what the Vatican News Service would describe as
a nightly routine throughout the war.


"We appeal to the new pope to look at Gaza through the eyes of Pope Francis and to feel it with the heart of Pope Francis. At the same time, we are confident that the new pope will give importance to Gaza and its peace," Antone added.

— Reuters
1 day ago
Watch: Pope Leo XIV delivers his first apostolic blessing
The Vatican has released this clip of Pope Leo XIV giving his first Urbi et Orbi (literal translation: 'to the city [of Rome] and to the world'), a type of papal blessing delivered by Catholic leaders on solemn and important occasions:
— Zacharias Szumer
1 day ago
What's in a name?
When a new pope is elected, they usually choose a new name, and that name can offer a clue about how they intend to lead the Church.

Cardinal Robert Prevost has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, aligning himself with a legacy of reform.

The most recent Pope Leo, Leo XIII, led the Church from 1878 to 1903. He's best known for his focus on social justice and is often credited with laying the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching.

Prevost, seen as a figure who bridges progressive and conservative views, may be signalling a continuation of Pope Francis' priorities, especially on social issues, through his choice of name.

He has drawn attention within the Church for his quiet leadership style and his alignment with Francis' vision, particularly around justice and care for the marginalised.

Leo is now the fourth most common papal name, behind John, Gregory, and Benedict.

The first Pope Leo, who served in the fifth century, is remembered for turning back Attila the Hun and helping preserve the Roman Empire. The name carries both spiritual and diplomatic weight.

— Alexandra Koster
1 day ago
Albanese says new pope arrives at 'important time' for Catholic Church
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also welcomed the incoming Catholic leader, saying:

"Today is a momentous day for Catholics around the world and faithful in Australia, and I join them in congratulating their Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, Bishop of Rome, on his election overnight.

As the first North American Pope, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership comes at an important time for the Catholic Church and the world.

Australia will invite His Holiness Pope Leo to Australia for the International Eucharistic Congress being proudly hosted in 2028.

My government looks forward to continuing Australia's strong relationship with the Holy See under Pope Leo XIV's pontificate.

This is a moment which will bring joy and hope to Catholics everywhere.

May the papacy of Pope Leo advance the cause of peace and social justice for all humanity."
1 day ago
Catholic archbishop of Sydney welcomes Pope Leo XIV
The Catholic archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, has welcomed the new pope, saying, among other things:

"Like the late Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV will bring to the Church the experience of being part of a religious order with an emphasis on simplicity and community. But he also brings a missionary heart with a determination to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ 'to the ends of the Earth'.

"As a canon lawyer who has served for the past two years as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, he will also bring expertise in Church law and governance.

"It was very moving that the Holy Father opened his first address to a watching world with a greeting of peace, and repeated the central truth of the Gospel, that God loves all of us 'without any limits or conditions', several times in his brief remarks."
1 day ago
Clerical abuse advocacy group expresses 'grave concern'
SNAP, a US-based advocacy group for victims of clerical sex abuse, has expressed "grave concern" about the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, renewing accusations he failed to take action against suspected predatory priests in the past in Chicago and in Peru.

"You can end the abuse crisis — the only question is, will you?" it said in a statement addressed to the new pope.

In an interview with the Vatican News website in 2023, Prevost said the Catholic Church must be transparent and honest in dealing with abuse allegations.

— Reuters
1 day ago
'Cardinal … who?'
"Cardinal… who?"

Standing among the tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square, there was confusion as to what had just been announced.

"Americano? Americano?"

With so many packed in such a small space, there was no phone reception. The identity of the new pope was passed from person to person. It might explain why the reaction to the news was a little more muted than one might have expected.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is not a particularly well-known figure outside church circles.
READ MORE

Who is Pope Leo XIV, the first US cardinal to lead the Catholic Church?

Some of the faithful knew he was from the United States, and one knew he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis, but most were a little perplexed.

But his speech, delivered in Italian, with some Spanish, was well-received.

It was long thought there would never be a pope from the US. But one Texan we spoke with said this is the perfect time, adding that the cardinals were trying to send a political message.

"I think it’s no coincidence the first American pope was elected while we're dealing with the division and hatred that our president has been sowing," she said.

— SBS News' chief international correspondent Ben Lewis
1 day ago
More international reactions to Pope Leo XIV's ascendancy
"The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world.

"Pope Leo is the first American Pope. This is a momentous moment. As Pope Francis' papacy showed, the Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address the major issues of our time; especially on climate change, alleviating poverty and promoting peace and justice across the world."

— British Prime Minister Keir Starmer


"Born in the United States and naturalised Peruvian in 2015, His Holiness lived and served for years in our country, where he shared the life of the people with humility, love and deep faith. His closeness to the most needy left an indelible mark in our hearts.

"The Peruvian people, a nation of faith and hope, unite in prayer for his pontificate and celebrate with gratitude that a pastor who loved Peru is now guiding the universal Church. May God bless him and accompany him in his mission!"

— Peruvian President Dina Boluarte


"Italians will look to you as a guide and point of reference, recognising in the Pope and the Church that spiritual and moral authority that derives from its inexhaustible message of love, charity and hope, which flows from the Word of God."

— Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni


"Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Pope. I am confident that the constructive dialogue and cooperation established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us.

"I wish you, Your Holiness, success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being."

— Russian President Vladimir Putin


"A historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful. To Pope Leo XIV, to all Catholics in France and around the world, I send a fraternal message.

"On this May 8th, may this new pontificate bring peace and hope."

— French President Emmanuel Macron


"I hope he continues the legacy of Pope Francis, whose main virtues were the incessant search for peace and social justice, the defence of the environment, dialogue with all peoples and all religions, and respect for the diversity of human beings.

"We do not need wars, hatred and intolerance. We need more solidarity and more humanism. We need love for our neighbour, which is the basis of Christ's teachings. May Pope Leo XIV bless us and inspire us in our ongoing quest to build a better and more just world."

— Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
1 day ago
The first US pope may have some thoughts about US politics
Pope Leo XIV has a history of criticising United States President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance's policies, according to posts on the X account of Robert Prevost, his name before he ascended to be head of the Catholic Church.

In February, he reposted an article with the following headline: "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

Vance has congratulated the new pope in a post on social media site X:
In April, when Trump met with El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, to discuss using a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place to jail suspected gang members flown from the US, Prevost reposted a comment that included: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?"
READ MORE

How Trump's deportation policy ally turned the world's 'murder capital' into a tourist hotspot

Reuters could not immediately verify who operated the account, which made its first post in 2011.

Reuters reached out to the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where Prevost was based for years, and the Peruvian embassy to the Holy See to confirm the authenticity of the account, which has the handle
@drprevost
and includes posts calling for prayers for the late Pope Francis in his final months.

— Reuters
1 day ago
The reaction in St Peter's square
Here's a few pics capturing the reaction to Pope Leo XIV's election among Catholic devotees in the Vatican:
People hold up a US flag and a crucifix at the front of a cheering crowd.
Enthusiasm was high as Pope Leo XIV spoke from the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica. Source: ANSA / Andrea Solero / EPA / AAP
A group of nuns in grey habits look forward with enraptured expressions.
Nuns in St Peter's Square during the election of Pope Leo XIV. Source: SIPA USA / Matteo Nardone / ipa-agency.net/FOTOGRAMMAIPA/Sipa USA / AAP
Two catholic priests cheer with their arms around each other in a jubilant crowd.
The successor to Pope Francis was greeted with jubilation. Source: SIPA USA / marco iacobucci / IPA / Sipa USA / AAP
A man holds up a sheet of paper reading 'Viva il Papa' in front of a large crowd.
A man in St Peter's Square holds up a sign reading "Long live the Pope". Credit: Matteo Nardone / IPA / PA / AAP
— Zacharias Szumer
1 day ago
How Pope Leo XIV was chosen
If you want to know a bit more about the conclave process through which the new pope was chosen, have a read of this handy explainer by Alexandra Koster:
READ MORE

'An open field': Why this conclave is different

— Zacharias Szumer
1 day ago
Pope Leo XIV appears on St Peter's balcony
The Vatican has released this short clip of Pope Leo XIV making his debut papal appearance on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

— Zacharias Szumer
1 day ago
US presidents, current and former, react to Pope Leo's election
"What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"

— US President Donald Trump


"This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith."

— Former US president Barack Obama


"This is a historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world. We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God's love."

— Former US president George W Bush
1of2
Share