American cardinal Robert Prevost elected pope Leon XIV

• The cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of the conclave.
• An American, Cardinal Robert Prevost, has become the head of the Catholic Church. He has taken the name Leon XIV.
• - Peace be with all of you - he said to the faithful. He also thanked the late Pope Francis and the cardinals.

The cardinals elected a new pope on the second day of the conclave. For the first time, he is a clergyman from the United States. Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leon XIV.

- Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you - said the new Pope Leon XIV during his first speech at the Vatican.

- God loves all of us and evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. We must build bridges together with dialogue… become one simple people in peace - he said.

- We must be a missionary church together. Perhaps Pope Francis is here with us this evening - Leon XIV said.

- Let us hold in our hearts the faint yet powerful voice of Pope Francis, who once blessed the city of Rome. The Pope who, on that Easter morning, extended his blessing not only to Rome but to the entire world - he noted.

- Evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Therefore, without fear, and united, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us move forward together. We are the disciples of Christ, and Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as the bridge to God and His boundless love. Let us work together to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, that we may become one people, living always in peace - the Holy Father emphasised.

He thanked the cardinals for electing him as the new Pope. "I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to my brother Cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of Peter, to walk with you as one united Church, always seeking peace and justice, and working with all men and women who faithfully follow Jesus Christ, without fear, proclaiming the Gospel and being true missionaries of hope."

- To all the faithful in Rome, throughout Italy, and across the world: we must be a synodal Church—a Church that walks together, that seeks peace, charity and draws near to those who suffer, - he said.

Pope Leon XIV recited the "Hail Mary" prayer after his address.