The Vatican's cardinals have elected American Robert Prevost as the new Pope, with white smoke seen billowing out of the Sistine Chapel's chimney.
Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost, 69, is the first ever American to take the role - and will use the regnal name Leo XIV.
"Peace be with you" were Pope Leo's first words as he addressed a crowd of thousands.
After thanking his predecessor Francis and praying for world peace, Leo said: "Evil will not prevail... We are all in the hands of God.
"Without fear, united hand-in-hand we go forward, we are disciples of Christ."
The crowd below was heard cheering "Leo, Leo", before the new Pope spoke of the need for God and Christ.
"The world needs his light, humanity needs him in order to be reached by God and his love. Let us build bridges through dialogue... to be one people in peace."
READ IN FULL: Who is Robert Prevost, what are the new Pope's views and what name will he take?
The crowd below was heard cheering 'Leo, Leo', before the new Pope spoke of the need for God and Christ
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The Chicago-born Cardinal, 69, will use the regnal name Leo XIV
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Following his accession to the role, his countryman President Donald Trump said it was "such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope".
"I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment," Trump added.
Prevost had spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and only became a cardinal in 2023 before rising to the very top of the Catholic Church on May 8.
PICTURED: Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti announces a new pope has been elected by the conclave at the Vatican
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The bells of St Peter's were heard ringing out on Thursday afternoon shortly after 6pm local time - on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors.
Less than an hour later, the new Pope accepted his nomination and chose his name before heading to the 'Room of Tears', adjacent to the Sistine Chapel.
Huge crowds in St Peter's Square were seen cheering and clapping as the first puffs of smoke emerged from the chapel, where the cardinals have been holding their secret ballot.
Flags from all around the world were seen in the historic plaza - with thousands gathered to watch as Pope Francis's successor is revealed to the public.
PICTURED: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost, delivers the 'Urbi et Orbi' [to the city and to the world] message from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica
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Flags from around the world were seen flying in St Peter's Square as thousands gathered at the Vatican to see the new Pope
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PICTURED: Worshippers hoist the American flag in St Peter's Square as Pope Leo XIV elected
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PICTURED: Swiss guards walk in St Peter's Square, after white smoke rose from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected
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Some 45,000 people had gathered in the square as the smoke emerged, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported, while more are walking and running along the Via della Conciliazione to greet the new pontiff.
Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti made the initial address to reveal the identity and regnal name of the new head of the Catholic Church.
It comes just 17 days after Francis's death on Easter Monday - which itself was only one day after his final public appearance.
Francis, born in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Some 45,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square to greet the new pontiff
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GRAPHED: The most popular papal names
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Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who served as the Vatican's Secretary of State under Francis, and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle were considered the frontrunners to replace him.
Other potential papal candidates included France's Jean-Marc Aveline, Hungary's Peter Erdo, the ultimately successful American Robert Prevost, Italy's Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Filipino Pablo Virgilio David.
The white smoke, heralding the arrival of the 267th pontiff in the history of the Church, marked a conclusion after four papal ballots - the same as Benedict XVI in April 2005.
Five ballots and two days were enough for Francis in March 2013.
The average number of ballots it has taken to be elected over the past 10 conclaves was 7.2.
