The first ever American Pope's spoken in front of a crowd of tens-of-thousands of faithful at the Vatican. 

69-year-old Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo the 14th. 

It comes after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel shortly after 6pm local time, following the fourth Conclave vote.

Catholic journalist Mark O'Conner is at the Vatican and told Ryan Bridge while the new Pope was born in Chicago, he has experience around the world. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The first ever American Pope's spoken in front of a crowd of tens-of-thousands of faithful at the Vatican.&nbsp;
69-year-old Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo the 14th.&nbsp;
It comes after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel shortly after 6pm local time, following the fourth Conclave vote.
Catholic journalist Mark O'Conner is at the Vatican and told Ryan Bridge while the new Pope was born in Chicago, he has experience around the world.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Mark O'Connor: Catholic Journalist on Pope announcement

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3b2e9955-d70b-45df-ae54-b2d7012f6f60/transcript

The United Kingdom isn't facing as many financial troubles as predicted, after the latest data shows their GDP holding steady. 

The past few months in the UK have been dominated by challenges to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, and many believed the issues in Parliament would damage the country's financial stability. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Price told Ryan Bridge that, 'what we did see here was in the UK was an increase of 0.6% in the quarter in GDP, which is quite unexpected.'

But she said this won't be A relief for Starmer, who faces more leadership challenges from members of his cabinet. 

LISTEN ABOVE

The United Kingdom isn't facing as many financial troubles as predicted, after the latest data shows their GDP holding steady.&nbsp;
The past few months in the UK have been dominated by challenges to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, and many believed the issues in Parliament would damage the country's financial stability.&nbsp;
Business Correspondent Vicky Price told Ryan Bridge that, 'what we did see here was in the UK was an increase of 0.6% in the quarter in GDP, which is quite unexpected.'
But she said this won't be A relief for Starmer, who faces more leadership challenges from members of his cabinet.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Vicky Price: Business Correspondent says UK's GDP is better than expected in Q1

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c63894e0-c987-4bd7-90a9-b44d013ed5a2/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 18th of May 2026, National's campaigning on scrapping good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual offenders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Ryan what a difference this will make.

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, UK Labour leadership uncertainty affecting bond markets and the latest inflation data in Europe for April up. 

Darfield High School Principal Andy England shares his thoughts on the Government's replacement for NCEA. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on central London protests over the weekend and Wes Streeting saying he will be a candidate when there’s a leadership election.

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Monday 18th of May 2026, National's campaigning on scrapping good character assessments at sentencing for all sexual offenders, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith tells Ryan what a difference this will make.
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on UK GDP, UK Labour leadership uncertainty affecting bond markets and the latest inflation data in Europe for April up.&nbsp;
Darfield High School Principal Andy England shares his thoughts on the Government's replacement for NCEA.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on central London protests over the weekend and Wes Streeting saying he will be a candidate when there’s a leadership election.
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 18 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/32164188-e750-4277-86e0-b44d012ac53f/transcript

Concern that NCEA's revamp could be a little old fashioned. 

The Education Minister has announced more detail on what's replacing NCEA. 

Year 11 students will need a foundational literacy and numeracy award under the new system, while senior students face compulsory exams in every subject, and must pass at least three.

Canterbury's Darfield School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge there's no doubt NCEA needed a revamp - but this is a bit retro.  

He's concerned it's oversimplified. 

Concern that NCEA's revamp could be a little old fashioned.&nbsp;
The Education Minister has announced more detail on what's replacing NCEA.&nbsp;
Year 11 students will need a foundational literacy and numeracy award under the new system, while senior students face compulsory exams in every subject, and must pass at least three.
Canterbury's Darfield School Principal Andy England told Ryan Bridge there's no doubt NCEA needed a revamp - but this is a bit retro. &nbsp;
He's concerned it's oversimplified.&nbsp;

Andy England: Canterbury's Darfield School Principal on NCEA's revamp

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/02ae6f12-a30e-44c2-9b92-b44d012b2f03/transcript

Mark O'Connor: Catholic Journalist on Pope announcement

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