Cardinal Robert Prevost, who served as a longtime missionary in Latin America, was elected as the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics around the world early yesterday.
The Chicago-born man was a surprise choice as the successor to Pope Francis, who died last month, aged 88.
He became the first pope from the United States, taking the name Leo XIV.
Cardinal John Dew said Pope Leo was being welcomed "extremely well by everyone and will be accepted by everyone".
He noted "when he appeared on the balcony, the roar of the crowd and the people calling out and welcoming him".
Cardinal Dew said the new pope would not 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, Cardinal 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 yesterday.
"Within 24 hours [of the conclave starting] he was chosen and got the required number of votes."
Cardinal Dew said all the cardinals had a chance to meet the new pope after he was announced.
The Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Michael Dooley, was also hopeful the new pope would follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.
Bishop Dooley said he was surprised the conclave elected an American, but said he was chosen because of who he was rather than where he was from.
Bishop Dooley said he hoped to meet Pope Leo on a visit to Rome. He was also hopeful the Pope would visit New Zealand at some point. — RNZ/APL
