Cardinal John Dew expects Pope Leo to speak his mind on social issues

The new pope won't hesitate to speak out about issues around the world, a Kiwi Cardinal who voted in the conclave says.

Cardinal John Dew says Pope Leo is being welcomed "extremely well by everyone and will be accepted by everyone".

"When he appeared on the balcony, the roar of the crowd and the people calling out and welcoming him..."

Speaking to Nine to Noon, he said the new pope won't hesitate to speak out about issues around the world.

He had stood up for many things including helping migrants, equality for women, and greater action to reduce climate change.

Speaking on the significance of Pope Leo as an American, Dew said the late Pope Francis was also from America - South America.

"I think any pope needs to be able to challenge things that are happening around the world, especially if it is affecting the lives of people, where the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer."

The cardinal took part in the conclave which he described as "an amazing experience".

Since Pope Francis died there had been 10 days of meetings, he said, when all the cardinals spent time together.

"To go into the conclave, I was overawed I guess, to be part of it and thinking how did I come to be part of this. But it was also a very prayerful, reflective time."

He said there were three ballots today.

"Within 24 hours [of the conclave starting] he was chosen and got the required number of votes."

Pope Leo appeared to be a very calm person, he said.

Cardinal Dew said all the cardinals had a chance to meet the new pope after he was announced.

US politics in the equation

There's surprise in New Zealand that the Cardinals voting for the new Pope have chosen an American, given the country's global dominance.

Massey University Emeritus Professor of History Peter Lineham told Morning Report the Cardinals will have pondered the politics of electing an American.

"But you've got to remember also, that there's been a very, very loud faction, over the whole of Francis's papacy, coming from America, critical that the Pope was too liberal, that the Pope was not taking people with him," he said.

"And remember there's enormous American money that feeds in to support the Vatican."

But Lineham said Pope Leo, like Pope Francis, supported the poor and needy.

There was "unfinished business" from Francis's papacy about dealing with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, Lineham said.

Pope Leo had a "blot in his career" on that front, with the abuse survivors' network SNAP criticising him for his handling of sexual abuse allegations during his leadership in the Augustinian order and in Peru.

"He'll have to create structures that deal more fundamentally with sexual abuse from priests."

Leo had conservative views on homosexuality, divorce, and married priests, Lineham said.

Auckland Bishop Steve Lowe said there was "real excitement" about the new Pope, but he was also surprised the Cardinals chose an American.

"But I think if any of the American Cardinals were a candidate, it was Cardinal Prevost," he said.

"He's not one we're really familiar with in New Zealand, he was the prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, but the Church in New Zealand falls under the Dicastery for the Evangelisation of People."

Lowe said the choice of the name Leo offered a glimpse into the type of Pope he sought to be.

"In the coming days, we will learn more about Pope Leo XIV, but the last Pope to take this name helped develop some of the Church's key social teachings," he said.

He told Morning Report Pope Leo was particularly concerned for people's struggles with many of the problems that are seen in New Zealand, like inadequate housing, healthcare and a living wage.

"In lots of ways we'll see a continuation of the direction of Pope Francis, but he'll bring his own gifts to the role."

Pope Leo would have to address sexual abuse in the church, and Lowe understood the Dicastery of Bishops had been "quite active" in dealing with those problems.

New Zealand Catholics celebrate

Catholics had attended church on Friday morning to pray for the new Pope.

At St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland, Father Glenford Lowe said there were some new faces at this morning's service, and they were enthusiastic about Pope Leo and the message he gave.

The Vatican flag has been hung at the Cathedral.

At Wellington's Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sister Marie Gore said she was pleased a new Pope had been elected, and she expected there would be a variety of reactions.

"I don't know much about him except what I've heard on the radio but very pleased our prayers are answered," she said.

"I think he will be true to his calling and will lead with trust in God."

A Peruvian woman in Auckland cried happy tears when the new pope of the Catholic Church was announced.

Betty Gutiérrez was among those celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV at St Patrick's Cathedral's midday mass in Auckland CBD on Friday.

She said she had a personal connection to the American pope from when he was the administrator and later bishop of the city of Chicalyo in Peru.

"My family knows him, he's fantastic."

She said she was overcome with emotion when she found out he was the new pope.

"We just scream, and laugh, and cry and thank God because we're really pleased. It's the best decision they could take."

She said it was wonderful for her people to see one of their own elected to the position.