Cardinal Robert Prevost becomes the first American pope, choosing the name Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, the first time an American has led the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday. (Andrew Medichini | AP)

VATICAN CITY — Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope, becoming the first pontiff from the United States. He chose the name Pope Leo XIV.

The 69-year-old new pontiff appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and said, "Peace be with all of you!"

He said he wanted his message of peace to "enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are."

He thanked his fellow cardinals for selecting him and spoke in Italian, Spanish and Latin. Having spent years working in Peru, he thanked his former diocese in the South American country, "where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot," he said.

He also spoke warmly of the late Pope Francis and concluded by leading the crowd in prayer.

He appeared after white smoke streamed from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the 133 cardinals inside had elected a new pope.

A roar erupted from the crowd when those in it saw the white smoke, which was shown on several large screens in St. Peter's Square. Enormous bells of St. Peter's Basilica began to ring, tolling the news that the Catholic Church has a new pope.

The vote came on the second day of the papal election process known as the conclave. Church experts had named other possible candidates and had not expected an American to win the papacy.

President Trump congratulated the new pope and expressed excitement to meet him. "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country," Trump wrote on social media.

Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Pope Leo XIV's hometown of Chicago, expressed local pride, writing: "Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!"

The pope has spent most of his career overseas, studying in Rome and then arriving in Peru in 1985.

Newspapers in Peru noted that the new pope is also a Peruvian citizen. He has worked as a missionary and later became the bishop of Chiclayo, a city of about half a million people in the northern part of the country.

The conclave to choose a new pope continues. Here's what you need to know As more than a billion Catholics around the world await the election of a new pope, all eyes are on the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals started the secretive process known as a conclave.

Rome has been brimming with elation, as thousands gathered near the Via della Conciliazione to be present for the historic moment when the new pope was announced and presented to the world.

Manuel Rueda contributed reporting from Bogotá, Colombia.