Cardinal electors have chosen Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope.

He is the first ever pontiff from the United States and has chosen the name Leo XIV.

Prevost is the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo in Peru.

Senior elector among the cardinal deacons, currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, stepped on to the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the crowds in the square "Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope).

The 133 cardinals under the age of 80 began the heavily ritualized and secret process on Wednesday, shut away in complete isolation as they voted to pick a successor to the late Pope Francis.

The cardinals held an initial inconclusive vote on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, the second day of the conclave, white smoke finally emerged after the fourth round of voting. — BAP/BM, GMA Integrated News