Prevost becomes first US pope as Leo XIV

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost at the St Peter's Basilica. [Alberto Pizzoli, AFP]

Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter's Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.