American Robert Francis Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV

The new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics - the 267th pontiff - has taken the papal name Leo XIV.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Picture: AP

The new leader of the Catholic Church is the American cardinal Robert Prevost, who has taken the papal name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, emerged on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square early this morning Australian time to huge cheers and prolonging applause from the tens of thousands of people who stampeded into the area once the bells tolled and white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel on day two of voting.

Amid wild excitement and cheers of “Abbiamo Papa, ole, ole, ole” Leo XIV emerged about an hour later quietly raising his hands and waving with both arms. He appeared to choke up when the crowd responded with chants of ‘Viva il Papa’.

The new pope is a 69-year-old dual citizen, originally from Chicago, who took Peruvian citizenship after serving in that country for several decades.

Most recently he has been the head of the church’s Dicastery for Bishops overseeing the selection of new bishops.

Pope Leo XIV is not without controversy however. He was previously criticised for not doing enough within the church to deal with historic sexual assault allegations, although he had referred the complaints to the police.

Leo XIV is considered a compromise candidate, and a centrist embracing a pastoral role not unlike Francis. However he opposes ordaining women as deacons and on other issues of church doctrine is somewhat conservative.

Tim Costelloe, the Archbishop of Perth, was among the first to congratulate the new pope.

“The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV is yet again a sign of the wisdom behind the Italian saying that ‘those who enter the conclave as a pope inevitably emerge from the conclave as a cardinal’,” the archbishop said in a statement.

“Cardinal Prevost brought to his most recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops an approachability and willingness to listen which were no doubt developed throughout his many years as an Augustinian missionary in Peru.

“He will be warmly welcomed by the Church in Latin America, as Pope Francis was, by the Church in the United States from where he comes, from the English-speaking world as a native English speaker, and from the whole Church as a man of God steeped in the rich spirituality of his Augustinian Religious Order.

“As Pope Leo XIV, our new pope will bring the benefit of his wide experience to the many challenges and opportunities before him.”

In a social media post, US President Donald Trump hailed the election of Pope Leo XIV as a “great honour” for the country and said he looked forward to meeting.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was another leader to congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election.

“At a time of profound global challenges, may his pontificate be marked by wisdom, discernment, a deep commitment to common good, and dignity of all,” Mr Carney said.

The excitement of the crowd was palpable as thousands of tourists ran with mobile phones aloft down the myriad streets leading into Vatican City to capture the pictures of the smoke shown on various big screens. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay

When the six bells of St Peter’s Basilica, including the rarely used majestic “Il Campanone” began to ring in loud symphony confirming the colour of the smoke - it was initially difficult to determine the colour - people began rushing into St Peter’s Square.

The historical significance of the moment is not lost on the Italian locals and Catholic faithful.

There have been just 10 of these occasions in the past 100 years: the elections of Pope Francis, Benedict XVI, John Paul II, John Paul I, Paul VI, John XXIII, Pius XII, Pius XI, and Benedict XV.

Adopting a papal name has been a tradition going back to the sixth century when Cardinal Roman Mercurius wanted a religious and not pagan name, selecting John II. The practice became more common from the 11th century.

It then became a trend to adopt the name of the Pope who created them as cardinal. More recently the papal name indicates the direction the new leader wants to take the church.

Swiss guards march as white smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Picture: AP

The excitement of the crowd was palpable.

Nuns and priests joining with thousands of tourists running with mobile phones aloft down the myriad streets leading into Vatican City to capture the pictures of the smoke shown on various big screens.