Climate, gay rights and women What Leo has said on the big issues

Within hours of his election as the 267th pontiff, Leo was being talked about as a bridge builder, a pope who would continue in Francis's footsteps but without alienating traditionalists in the way his predecessor sometimes did.

- Harriet Sherwood

He was "known for solid judgment and a keen capacity to listen, and someone who doesn't need to pound his chest to be heard", according to a recent profile in Crux. He was "more pragmatic, cautious and discreet than the late pope", it added.

In his first appearance on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, he wore traditional papal attire, signalling that his style will be more formal than Francis's, who opted for a simple white cassock for his first balcony appearance.

Although he is expected to follow Francis in many respects, he is likely to do so in a more emollient manner. In his opening remarks as pontiff, Leo said: "We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open." He will try to be a symbol of greater unity in the church.

In his years working in Peru, Leo - then Robert Prevost - acquired a reputation as a moderating influence among the country's ideologically disparate bishops. He will need to draw on that to hold together the different factions of the global church.

Social justice, climate and peace

Leo's theology is focused on the poor and marginalised, following his predecessor's priorities. He has been critical on social media of harsh immigration policies. As pontiff, his language is expected to be less confrontational than Francis's, but he is likely to endorse the same priorities rather than seek to roll back the late pope's legacy.