American prelate Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new Pope on Thursday.
The Chicago-born Prevost, 69, a member of the Augustinian order and who had served extensively in Peru, was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023. He was appointed to the posts by Pope Francis, who elevated him as a Cardinal.
He will take the pontifical name of Leo XIV.
Significantly, he is the second successive Pope from the Americas after the Argentinian-born Pope Francis.
There was eager wait to find who was the new Pope would be, as trademark white smoke billowed out of the chimney high above St Peter's Square in the evening to signify the conclave of the Cardinals had selected the successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
Joy erupted among the clergy and laity awaiting a decision, and all eyes were on the balcony, awaiting the first appearance of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, the new Pope said: "Peace be with all of you."
"Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you," he said, the BBC reported.
The 133 cardinals making up this conclave, taking place in the Sistine Chapel, had reassembled after a lunch break following this morning's inconclusive ballots.
A new pope requires a two-thirds majority - which translates to 89 votes in this conclave. The average length of time for the last few conclaves was three days and seven ballots, as per the BBC.
Security beefed up in Assam along B'desh border amid India-Pak tensions
Amid tensions between India and Pakistan, the Assam government has ramped up the security vigilance along the International Border with Bangladesh, officials said on Thursday.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with our armed forces: Gautam Adani
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Thursday extended his full support to the Indian armed forces, as tensions further flared up between India and Pakistan.
Guterres encourages efforts to de-escalate India, Pakistan conflict as diplomatic efforts afoot
As attacks were reported across the India-Pakistan borders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday encouraged efforts to de-escalate the confrontation there, according to his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
India's retaliatory action against Pak-directed terror attack in Pahalgam
US President Donald Trump's unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist killings of innocent tourists at Pahalgam and a similar response from President Vladimir Putin of Russia, no doubt strengthened India’s hands in its successful attempt to create a long-term deterrence against Pakistan.
EU says every state has right to protect its citizens amid escalating tensions between India-Pakistan
The European Union (EU) and its 27 member states on Thursday unequivocally condemned the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, stating that every state has the duty and the right to lawfully protect its citizens from acts of terror.
Will finish Pakistan if it escalates, claims Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha claimed on Thursday that if Pakistan further tries to escalate tensions or create any fresh troubles, India would finish it, asserting that Indians are safe due to the bold decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
'Saharsh' course launched in Tripura to keep children free from burden of studies: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the ‘Saharsh’ curriculum has been launched in the state to keep children free from the burden of studies.
Operation Abhyas: Mock drills conducted across Northeast
Civil defence mock drills were conducted in eight states across the northeastern region, including several capital cities of the states, following the success of Operation Sindoor.