Breaking news – Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected Pope

Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV has made his first public appearance, standing on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.

He waved with both hands to cheering supporters below, some waving the American flag.

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Prevost is a US and Peruvian citizen, who was brought to the Vatican in 2023 by Pope Francis to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, widely considered one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church.

While a native of Chicago, Prevost has lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

Prevost was also twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinian religious order, the 13th century order founded by St Augustine.

Ever since he arrived in Rome, Prevost has kept a low public profile, but he is well known to the men who count.

Significantly, he presided over one of the most consequential reforms Francis made, when he added three women to the voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope.