The Bishop of Alexandria said he was shocked and surprised when the Catholic Church announced a new pope, who was born and raised in the United States.

Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago will succeed Pope Francis as the leader of the Catholic Church. Prevost, the first American pope in history, will go by Leo XIV. Here's a look at the scenes across Rome and nearby countries after white smoke poured from the chimney.

The conclave to select the next pope has begun after Catholic cardinals from across the world filed into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday before sealing themselves inside.

Black smoke soared into the sky on the first vote of the second day of the papal conclave. The cardinals can vote up to four times each day.

On their second day of voting, the cardinals elected a new Pope - marked by white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the ringing of the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica. NBC News’ international correspondent Claudio Lavanga,