The world's 1.4 Billion Catholics have a new Pope.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen to lead the Catholic church in a historic move. The 69-year-old will be the first pontiff from the United States.

Nine Europe Correspondent Jess Millward told Peter Fegan on 4BC Breakfast, "He certainly wasn't one of the favourites and the old Italian saying goes, you go into a conclave as a pope and you come out a cardinal."

"Whether you're religious or not, to be part of history here today was extraordinary because the flags of every country you can think of waving in the air."

"People embracing, people hugging, people in tears and then when he spoke about peace and unity, it was a moment of hope," Mrs Millward said.

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