Bishop welcomes 'reasonably quick' election of new Pope

The Bishop of Derry has said it is "good news" that a new Pope has been elected "reasonably quickly".

White smoke started billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Rome shortly after 17: 00 BST local time (17: 00 BST), signalling the voting process had concluded.

The new pope is American Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

He appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica a short time ago.

Speaking about the two-day conclave, Bishop Donal McKeown said: "Had it gone on much longer, another day or so, it would've been a sign of a rather split conclave.

"I'm working on the assumption this means that they have reached a consensus at a comparatively early stage which is good news for all of us."

Bishop McKeown met the then Cardinal Robert Prevost in Rome last October.

He told BBC News NI that he found the new Pope to be a "most amenable person".

"He came on his own to meet me in the office, he sat and listened, asked intelligent questions, he knew his brief," Bishop McKeown said.

"I was very impressed by the courtesy with which I was met on that occasion. In the congregation for bishops I'm very small fry. He treated me with enormous respect and courtesy and I'm very impressed."

Bishop McKeown added: "A leadership of the worldwide Catholic Church is an enormous challenge but I saw before me last October a fit, healthy man who was gracious in all that he did."

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Pope Leo XIV's election was a "day of profound significance for Catholics in Ireland and worldwide".

Posting on X, she hoped the new Pope would "stand up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with courage and compassion - just as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did".

O'Neill also encouraged him to "stand unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian people".

Posting on X, Alliance leader Naomi Long offered her prayers for the Pope.

"His first words, a commitment to bridge building and unity hopefully indicate continuity of the legacy of Pope Francis," she said.

"May God bless him and guide him."

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin wished Pope Leo XIV "every strength, good health, and the required spiritual guidance as he begins his mission of leading the Catholic Church at a time of challenge, building on the pastoral direction and achievements of Pope Francis".

He added: "On behalf of the government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV.

"The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St. Peter's Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new pope."

Journalist and author Martin O'Brien said he was in the media centre in Rome but had just gone outside "to get a sense of the atmosphere when suddenly I heard a great sound of excitement".

"And there was the white smoke, unmistakably white smoke billowing," he said.

"I think there was a sense almost of disbelief in a sense that when you are actually there witnessing a moment of history you think 'is this happening or is it not'."