American Robert Prevost elected as Pope Leo XIV

He is first US pontiff, and is known for his quiet style and support for his predecessor

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VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV early on May 9 (Singapore time), the first American to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Pope Leo appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica around 70 minutes after white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signifying that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the Catholic Church.

"Peace be with all you," the new pontiff said, in his first public words.

The choice of Cardinal Prevost was announced by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) to tens of thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square to hear the news.

Pope Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death in April of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the church for 12 years, and widely sought to open the staid institution up to the modern world.

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals' second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter's Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which had been fitted out with red curtains for Pope Leo's first address.

"It is an amazing feeling," said an elated Mr Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast in Northern Ireland who came with his mother to Rome for the spectacle.