The next pope has been elected as Cardinal Robert Prevost from the United States. He took the papal name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pope in history

. Before the conclave, several cardinals were considered frontrunners, including:

• Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State and a seasoned diplomat, widely seen as a leading candidate and continuity figure for Pope Francis' agenda

• Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines, regarded as a strong contender with a progressive stance and international profile

• Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and a close ally of Pope Francis, considered a likely continuity candidate

• Peter Erdo, a conservative European cardinal with a reputation for being a unifying figure

However, the conclave ultimately chose Cardinal Robert Prevost as the new pope