Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV — is the first pope from the United States. The 69-year-old from Chicago is known as a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and most recently led a powerful Vatican office for bishop appointments.

Robert Prevost, the choice of the world's Catholic cardinals to serve as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church, is the first pope from the United States and a relative unknown on the global stage. Aged 69 and originally from Chicago,

White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday (May 8) and the bells of St Peter's rang out, signalling that cardinals have elected a new pope to succeed Pope Francis and take charge of the Roman Catholic Church.

The 133 cardinals electing the new Catholic Church's new leader will vote again on May 8. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

New pope to be revealed imminently after white smoke appears over Vatican - The faithful cheered in the Vatican square, waving flags from many countries in celebration at the arrival of the news