Robert Francis Prevost has been named as the new pope today after a two-day conclave in the Vatican. Cardinal Prevost was unveiled as the successor to the late Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square on Thursday evening, becoming the first North American pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
The new pope, 69, was chosen in the ancient conclave process, which has remained unchanged for 1,000 years and saw 133 cardinals take place in multiple rounds of voting until a clear winner emerged. King Charles has yet to respond publicly to the news of the new pope.
While no date has yet been set, it is likely the King will meet the new pope sometime in 2026. This is based on the fact that the late Queen Elizabeth II first met Pope Francis just over a year after he became the pope in 2013.
On his last visit to Rome and the Vatican last month, Charles and Queen Camilla, 77, met Pope Francis over a week before Francis’ death.
King Charles did not attend the funeral, with Prince William instead attending on his father’s behalf.
Buckingham Palace has not yet given any indication of when King Charles, 76, will meet Pope Leo XIV.
US President Donald Trump has already congratulated Pope Leo on social media, describing it as “a great honour for our country”.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”