Pope Leo XIV leads first mass after becoming American pontiff & risking Trump’s fury with anti-MAGA tweets
POPE Leo XIV is leading his first holy mass in the Sistine Chapel less than 24 hours after being elected.
Robert Prevost, 69, is the first ever American to helm the Catholic Church and is speaking to the cardinals who voted him in.
US President Donald Trump was among the first world leaders to congratulate Illinois native Prevost after he was elected.
In a post to TruthSocial, Trump marked the historic moment saying: "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.
"What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV.
"It will be a very meaningful moment!"
America's Vice President JD Vance also showered praise on newly-elected Pope - despite the new pontiff slamming the VP and Trump's policies for years.
On Thursday evening, Leo XIV stepped out onto the red draped balcony in the Vatican in front of 15,000 Catholic faithful and spoke in Italian and Spanish, addressing the world.
Crowds in St Peter's Square erupted into chants of "Viva il Papa" and screams of happiness as the sacred Conclave ritual came to an end.
The Vatican's enormous bells rang to mark the end of the search for the successor to St Peter - and the beloved Pope Francis.
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Crowds in the Vatican waved flags and danced as the historic moment was broadcast around the world - set to marked from Spain to Tonga.
Leo secured at least 89 votes of the 133 cardinals participating in the secretive lock-in Conclave in order to be picked.
The successful vote for the new leader of the world's 1.4billion Catholics came after three rounds of voting which could not produce a result.
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Pope Leo's first mass finishes
Credit: Getty 
Credit: Getty The Catholic church will "illuminate" the dark nights - Pope Leo
The new pope has now spoken in Latin at his first mass as he told cardinals about his hopes for the future of the Catholic Church.
He told cardinals that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world".
Leo hopes to be a "faithful administrator" to allow the church to flourish he added.
Pope calls on his followers to 'walk with him' at first mass
The new pope has started his first holy mass by telling the cardinals watching on that the Lord has done "marvels".
He spoke in English saying: "As we celebrate this morning, I invite you to celebrate the marvels that this Lord has done and the blessing he continues to pour out on us.
He says through the ministry of Peter "you have called on me to be blessed with that mission".
Pope Leo added: "I know I can rely on every one of you to walk with me."
King Charles congratulates Pope
The King has sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on becoming the 267th pontiff, Buckingham Palace said.
How common is the name Leo for a pope?
THESE are the top 10 most common names chosen by an incoming Pope with Leo ranking as the fourth popular...
- John- 21
- Gregory- 16
- Benedict- 15
- Leo- 14
- Clement- 14
- Innocent- 13
- Pius- 12
- Stephen- 9
- Boniface- 8
- Urban- 8
*Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia
Empire State Building lit up in gold and white for new US Pope
Credit: AP 
Credit: AP Inside Pope Leo's first few days in the job
The Vatican has released a list of Pope Leo XIV's upcoming appearances across the next four days.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope will hold his first Mass on Friday at 10am UK time with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.
On Sunday he will deliver his first Sunday noon blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.
A day later he plans speak to the world's media in the Vatican auditorium.
New Pope's brothers reveal all
Robert Prevost, or Pope Leo as he is know known, played Wordle and watched the hit film Conclave before he was elected as the new leader of the Catholic church, his brothers have revealed.
His oldest brother Louis said they played online puzzles like Wordle and Words with Friends together to take the Pope's mind off things.
Louis also told NBC News that seeing Robert walk out on the iconic balcony was "mindblowing".
He said: "When the cardinal came out and started to read his name, as soon as he went 'ro' I knew he was gonna say 'Roberto' - and he did - and I just freaked out.
"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."
Today's magazine and newspaper front pages
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters Today's magazine and newspaper front pages
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters Watch: Donald Trump speaks on historic US Pope
President Trump is honored by new American PopeYoung pictures of new Pope Leo
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Reuters Pope's first Mass set for 10am
The new Pope will lead his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11am local time (10am UK time) today.
He'll be joined by cardinals for the historic event.
Meloni congratulates Leo
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her congratulations to Pope Leo XIV.
She said: "I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate.
“In a time marked by conflicts and anxieties, his words from the Loggia delle Benedizioni are a powerful call to peace, brotherhood and responsibility."
She added: "A spiritual legacy that is gathered in the furrow traced by Pope Francis, and that Italy looks at with respect and hope."
Leo XIV's brother says he 'always wanted to be pope'
Leo XIV's brother revealed that the new pope was in first grade when a neighbour told him that he would be the first American Pope.
The youngest of three boys, Leo always wanted to be a priest, according to his middle brother John Prevost.
He told ABC News he didn't think his brother Robert "ever thought of anything else".
The Pope is a fast texter
Vicar general of the order of St. Augustine Joseph Farrell shared some facts about his friend Robert Prevost.
Pope Leo XIV is known as "the fastest on text".
Farrell said that Leo always immediately answers his phone because he doesn't like to keep people waiting for replies.
The vicar also revealed that Leo loves tennis and usually plays once a week.
White House has been contacted by Leo's team
President Trump said that he had received a call from the new pope's team.
He said: "They’ve already called. They have already spoken to us, and we’ll see what happens."
How Prevost rose to the top
From a budding maths genius in the US to an adventurous missionary in Peru - horseriding Pope Leo XIV has now reached the highest summit in the Catholic Church.
His incredible life has seen him climb all the way from an altar boy to head of the Vatican.
Spanish prime minister commends Leo
Pedro Sánchez congratulated Leo XIV as well as the "entire Catholic Church".
He said: "May your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity."
Leo XIV as a child
The picture shows Robert Prevost as a 7-year-old child at the St. Mary of the Assumption School.
The future Pope Leo XIV is the 4th left child in the back row.
The picture is dated November 12, 1962.
UN Secretary General commends Leo
Antonio Guterres said he looks forward "to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See".
He said: "The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges.
"Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion."
Leo's university celebrates his election
Villanova University, a private Catholic research school, celebrated its newest and most famous graduate.
Other notable alumni include American actor Bradley Cooper and former first lady Jill Biden.
The university president Rev. Peter Donohue said: "What a proud and extraordinary day for Villanova University and the global Church!"
"Pope Leo XIV is a Villanova alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977 and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from the University in 2014."
He added that the university would "celebrate this significant day".
Picture of Pope Francis and Leo XIV
Pope Francis puts the red biretta on the head of new cardinal Robert Francis Prevost during a consistory in St. Peter Square at the Vatican on September 30, 2023.
Credit: Alamy President Biden congratulates Leo
Former US President and devout Catholic Joe Biden wished the new pope success.
He said: “Habemus papam - May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success.”