The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin said he “really didn’t expect” the American Robert Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV to be elected.
White smoke started billowing from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel in Rome shortly after 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) on Thursday, signalling the voting process had concluded.
The new Pope then appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica after his election.
Archbishop Martin said he was praying for the new Pope and hoped that “he will do a good job for all of us”.
Speaking about meeting the then Cardinal on Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster, Archbishop Martin described Pope Leo as very calm and respectful.
He said: “He was a very affable and a courteous person, somebody who is in that kind of humility that Pope Francis has exuded over the last number of years.”
“Whenever I heard his name called out, I just thought, it’s not what I would have thought, but the more I’ve begun to think about it, clearly the Cardinals have been reflecting for a full two weeks before they even went in the door of the Sistine Chapel.
“And what are the needs of the church? What kind of person do we need at this time?”
“This is the one they’ve chosen,” he said.
‘Challenges’ for church
In Londonderry on Friday morning Pauline Madden said she hoped the new Pope would be a good successor to Pope Francis.
“There are challenges and issues for the Church worldwide. Hopefully he will be seen as maybe a peacemaker, there is a lot of conflict in different parts of the world,” she said.
Liam Wilson said he was happy the Conclave was quick.
“He looks so young, long may he live now, I hope he carries on the work of Pope Francis.”
Mr Wilson said Pope Francis spoke out about peace and current struggles around the world.
“I hope that continues now. What we want now is to maintain the ground that Pope Francis has laid and keep everything going, and bring peace to the world hopefully.
Speaking after the news broke of the new Pope’s election at Clonard Monastery in Belfast, Blesson said it was a very important day.
He said: “I hope he is like Pope Francis like before. I will pray for him that he makes good decisions and takes the Church in the right direction.”
Inclusion and connection
Fr Ciarán O’Callaghan said this represents a new start for the Catholic Church.
“Every Pope has a way of leading the Church forward and Pope Francis certainly did that. This Pope has a lot of issues on his in-tray so I hope he begins to deal with those.
“He talks of inclusion which is a big word in our world today, about a welcome for everyone, and about building connections and dialogue, and that sounds good to me,” he said.
Rosemary said it was great news.
“I didn’t expect an American but our previous Pope had installed him as cardinal two years ago, so it is great to see it and he will just have to prove himself,” she said.
“I was born in the States, in New York, so I am happy enough,” Brain said.
“It’s the first Pope from north America. He is the leader after Saint Peter, it is a very big deal. It is so significant, from Francis dying to a new Pope elected.”
Harry said Pope Leo’s previous experience in Peru and the Vatican made him the right person for the job.
“It’s good that it didn’t take too long, it shows that they had agreement among them,” he said.
Dessie said: “It’s a big day for the church, hopefully a nice and modern guy. He is young enough too, I think Pope Francis did a good job so hopefully he will follow suit.”
