Pope Leo XIV was elected as the Catholic Church's 267th leader on Thursday.
The temporary chimney atop the Sistine Chapel released a plume of white smoke on Thursday evening local time, signaling that the 133 cardinals working inside had reached a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope for the Catholic Church.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost was shortly thereafter announced as the 267th pontiff. He chose the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first American pope and is seen as a diplomat in the church.
"This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian in his first remarks as pope. "This is the peace of the risen Christ."
Tune in to "The American Pope: Leo XIV," a special edition of "20/20," streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.
The Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC, said he knows Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, describing him as “very-down-to-earth.”
Martin told ABC News the new pontiff is a “very kind person, very reserved.”
Martin previously said days before the conclave’s start that the American cardinal was a front-runner for the papacy.
Pope Leo XIV, American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has addressed thousands of people gathered in Vatican Square for the first time as pontiff.
Leo took a moment to take in the crowd after stepping onto the center balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his remarks.
"Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian. "This is the peace of the risen Christ."
Leo asked the crowd to pray for the late Pope Francis and expressed gratitude to his predecessor -- encouraging followers to continue Francis' mission "for building bridges."
"We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open, like this very piazza, welcoming," Leo told the crowd.
The new pope also thanked the cardinals who elected him as Francis’ successor before reciting the "Hail Mary" prayer.
White smoke emerged from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel Thursday evening, signifying that the new pope had been elected.
Read more about what happens after the new pope is elected here.
President Donald Trump congratulated the new pope in a Truth Social post.
"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!" he said.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
Cardinal Robert Prevost selected the name Leo XIV, a senior cardinal deacon announced.
John, the most popular name selected among cardinals, has been used 23 times. Gregory has been used 16 times, and Benedict has been chosen 16 times.
The only name that is not allowed to be used is Peter, which is an unwritten rule in the Catholic Church, paying respect to the first pope, Saint Peter.
