Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Mass as the new pontiff
He tells cardinals in the Sistine Chapel that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world"
Born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, he is the first North American to be elected pope – Donald Trump called it a "great honour"
Pope Leo, 69, is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru, which he reportedly calls his "second homeland"
"Yes, it's Rob!" – watch the moment the Pope's brother jumps for joy as he learns of his election
This video can not be played
Watch: Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the Vatican
Edited by Johanna Chisholm and Nathan Williams, with Sarah Rainsford reporting from Rome
Josh Parry
LGBT and identity reporter
While the pomp and ceremony unfolds in the Vatican, around the world people are keen to find out more about Pope Leo XIV.
Within an hour of the announcement, search engines saw a spike in searches from people looking to find out, with ‘Robert Prevost views’ quickly becoming one of the breakout search terms.
During the process to elect a new pope, there were questions about whether Pope Francis’ more progressive stance would continue, or whether there would be a return to a more conservative, doctrinal path.
One area of public life that’s often discussed in this context is the Church’s views on LGBTQ relationships and same-sex adoption.
The pontiff, who’ll be known as Pope Leo XIV, hasn’t recently spoken about the issue but in a 2012 address to bishops he expressed his disappointment about what he perceived as Western media’s “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel”.
He said this included what he called the "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children".
We will learn more about the new Pope's views on these issues in the coming days.
Meanwhile, over on 5 Live, our colleagues asked listeners, "What are your hopes for the the new Pope?" Here's what they've been saying
If you're just tuning in now, here are some pictures from the Pope's first Holy Mass since being elected pontiff.
The new Pope's first Mass was held in the elaborately decorated Sistine Chapel.
Pope Leo XIV led the congregation of cardinals in hymns and liturgy
One of the moments that stood out in Pope Leo's first Mass as pontiff was a moment when he said that the Church could help illuminate the "dark nights of this world".
Here's that full quote in context:
In a particular way, God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator for the sake of the entire mystical body of the Church. He has done so in order that she may be ever more fully a city set on a hill, an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world."
Pope Leo XIV
With the Mass in the Sistine Chapel over, here's a quick recap of what we heard from Pope Leo in his first address:
Cardinals have now begun filing out of the Sistine Chapel and the Mass has ended.
Here's a look at some of the recent pictures we're getting from inside the Sistine Chapel.
The Pope has said the church must do more work in to places where there is a "lack of faith" as part of its mission.
"Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent," he tells the cardinals.
He adds that areas where "technology, money, success, power or pleasure" are preferred are "where our missionary outreach is desperately needed".
Pope Leo continues his sermon, now speaking in Italian.
He is telling cardinals that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world" and that he can be a "faithful administrator" for the entire Church.
Pope Leo has begun to address the Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, beginning his remarks in English.
He says they have called him to be blessed with the mission of leading the Church.
"I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel," he says. 
Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor, reporting from Rome
One of the main events today, happening right now, is Pope Leo presiding over Mass in the Sistine Chapel – that was until last night the voting chamber for the Conclave.
From his first homily – a sermon or religious speech – we will get more of a sense perhaps of the focus of his papacy as he intends it.
Cardinals will then disperse and we will start to hear a little bit from them. They're sworn to secrecy about the process, but we'll hear something of how they feel about this all.
Then there is management, he is a spiritual leader of course, but he is also a head of state and runs the Curia, the administration that runs the Catholic Church.
The Pope will have to start thinking about his secretary of state and his cabinet for example.
All of these things – like the people he chooses to surround himself with — will give us an initial insight into the direction he intends for his papacy.
Laura Gozzi
Reporting from St Peter's Square
Meanwhile, outside the Sistine Chapel, there is very much a "day after" feel to St Peter’s Square today.
The majority of pilgrims seem to have been replaced by tourist groups streaming in and out of the basilica, couples talking selfies and children skipping on the cobblestones.
It's a beautiful warm spring day, and after the swelling emotion of the last two and a half weeks, it feels like normal service is resuming.
This video can not be played
Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the Vatican
Here's a clip from the beginning of this morning's Mass.
Both Pope Leo and the assembled cardinals are changing between the zucchetto skullcap and the tall white mitre, often reserved for special occasions, during different parts of this ceremony.
Only the Pope wears a white zucchetto, while the cardinals wear red.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent
King Charles has sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election. Buckingham Palace says the King and Queen sent Pope Leo their "sincere good wishes for his Pontificate".
King Charles and Queen Camilla had held one of the last high profile meetings with his predecessor, Pope Francis, visiting him in the Vatican in the weeks before his death.
The service has started with a prayer led by the Pope, to acknowledge sins and ask for God's forgiveness.
The congregation has joined him in singing and taking part in the liturgy.
The new Pope has just been led into the Sistine Chapel and begun to conduct Mass.
He kissed the altar and walked around it once with incense.
We're starting to get video from inside the Sistine Chapel for the first time, where the 130-plus strong contingent of cardinals have gathered for Pope Leo's first Mass as pontiff.
We're now just minutes away from Pope Leo XIV leading a Mass in the Sistine Chapel, marking the first time he'll do so as the leader of the Catholic Church.
Our correspondents are poised to bring you updates from the scene outside the chapel in St Peter's Square, and you can also follow the Mass live by pressing watch live above.
Visitors are marking this historic day by posing with today's newspaper in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The front page shows a picture of the new Pope's balcony address.
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.