Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new pope, breaking what was long believed to be a strong taboo against choosing an American to lead the world’s 1.4bn Catholics.

Prevost, who spent many years in Peru, was seen as a compromise candidate whose strong blend of pastoral experience and managerial prowess was an attractive combination for a church facing an array of challenges, including declining congregations in Europe and the Vatican’s precarious finances.

He will be known as Pope Leo XIV, the choice of name signalling that a strong social agenda will be his priority. The papal name was last utilised in the late 19th century by a social reformer, who sought to apply church teachings to modern issues such as the exploitation of workers during the industrial revolution.