'Evil will not prevail': first US pope vows to build bridges

Robert Prevost, the first North American to lead the Roman Catholic church, has said "evil will not prevail" as he addressed a crowd of 100,000 pilgrims and tourists in his first speech as Pope Leo XIV from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica.

- Angela Giuffrida and Harriet Sherwood Vatican City Sam Jones

• Surprise choice Robert Prevost will be known as Leo XIV

• Pontiff has criticised Trump administration over refugee policies

The stunning election yesterday of Prevost, 69, as the church's 267th pontiff ended the Vatican's long-standing opposition to the idea of a pontiff from the US.

Observers said the Chicago-born cleric's papal name historically symbolised strength during crisis and could be taken as a sign that he would probably follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88.

Donald Trump, who on Saturday angered Catholics by posting an AI-generated picture of himself as pope on social media, was among the first world leaders to congratulate Prevost even though the pair looked set to clash in a similar way the US president did with Francis.

"It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!" Prevost, who in his first speech called for "peace" and "to build bridges," has previously criticised the Trump's administration treatment of refugees and migrants, saying in a recent post that the US government didn't "see the suffering" in its policies.

His first words to the raucous crowd celebrating in St Peter's Square, were "peace be with you all", adding: "I would like peace to reach your families, all peoples, all the earth." He spoke in Italian before switching to Spanish - and not saying a word in English.