Who is Pope Leo XIV and what does he stand for?

The former cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, was named by the Vatican on Thursday after being elected through a faster than expected Conclave that lasted 25 hours and four rounds of voting.

As the 267th pope, Leo faces a number of key decisions as head of the Catholic Church following on from the revered Pope Francis - who died last month aged 88.

Here is all you need to know about the new pontiff.

Who is Robert Prevost - the new Pope Leo XIV?

The appointment was a surprise

Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged onto the loggia of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, following the Conclave and the appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, signalling that a new pontiff has been chosen.

He was not considered a frontrunner, but secured the necessary two-thirds majority of votes.

The Pope's brothers have spoken of their shock at seeing him emerge on the balcony, with his eldest brother, Louis Prevost, calling the moment "mindblowing."

"When the cardinal came out and started to read his name, as soon as he went "raw" I knew he was gonna say 'Roberto' - and he did - and I just freaked out."

Louis Prevost added: "We've kind of known he was special, and we used to tease him about being pope when he was six years old and stuff."

The Pope's other brother, John Prevost, said he had told the Pope to watch the Oscar-winning 2024 film Conclave for tips.

Leo has worked in Peru

Born in Chicago, Leo holds dual US and Peruvian citizenship having spent many years as a missionary in the South American country. He is of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent.

He previously said: "I was born in the United States... But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish... I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish.”

Ordained in 1982, he had served in Peru for years as a local parish pastor and in 2014 was made Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru by Francis. The then Pope promoted him to archbishop and then Cardinal in 2023.

His first appearance as Pope was symbolic

Leo's first words to the crowds below - "Peace be with you" - emphasised a message of dialogue and missionary evangelisation. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

He wore the traditional red cape - which Pope Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013 - suggesting a return to some degree of tradition-following after Francis' unorthodox pontificate.

Leo added: “The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning. So let us follow up that blessing."

All in a name

In choosing the name Leo, the new Pope might be referencing the first pontiff by that name who persuaded Attila the Hun not to attack Rome in the fifth century.

The most recent Leo, Pope from 1878 to 1903, was also well known for his action on workers’ rights - which the new leader might be looking to emulate.

He is the first American Pope

Leo was elected as the first North American pope in the church's 2,000-year history.

A US pope has previously been considered taboo due to the country's international influence, but Leo's years in Peru are believed to have given him a wider appeal, especially to cardinals from Central and South America.

Leo has a rocky relationship with Donald Trump

Donald Trump has said that having a US citizen as pope is a "great honour" and that the two men had already spoken on the phone.

The president, having joked earlier in the week that he would make a great pontiff himself, is a fan of the new pope - but the former Cardinal Prevost might not be such an admirer of Mr Trump.

In February, an X account under the Pope's name shared a link to an article titled "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others."

In April, after the president met with the leader of El Salvador to discuss using one of the country's notorious prisons to hold suspected US gang members, the new pope reposted a comment that included: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?"

On some issues he might be aligned to Francis… But his LGBT stance might be more conservative

As well as his choice of name, Leo, reflecting a desire for supporting workers - the new Pope is reported to have views sympathetic to environmental causes and support for immigration.

However, the new Pope might be out of line with the progressive Francis on the issues of gay marriage. Leo has previously said the “homosexual lifestyle” and “the redefinition of marriage” are “at odds with the Gospel”.

The then Cardinal made the address in 2012.

What time is the Pope’s first mass?

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV will lead his first holy mass from the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City at around 10am on Friday.

He plans to deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica. Leo also plans to hold an audience with the media on Monday in the Vatican auditorium.