Americans and world leaders are encouraging the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, whose name is Robert Francis Prevost.
The 69 -year -old, who comes from Chicago, is the first Pope in the United States.
President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo on social networks, saying: “It is an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.”
“What emotion and what a great honor for our country,” Trump’s publication continued. “I hope to meet Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!”
The faithful react to the white smoke of the chimney in the Sistine Chapel that indicates that a new Pope has been chosen, in the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.
Claudia Greco/Reuters
Former President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic who has spoken about his warm relationship with Pope Francis, wrote on social networks: “Habemus Papam, that God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in a publication on X on Thursday night, wrote: “Congratulations to his holiness to Pope Leo XIV for his historical selection. Doug and I joined millions throughout our nation and worldwide for praying for him while assuming his new role and leads to the Catholic Church.”
Former President Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I send our congratulations to a Chicago partner, his holiness, Pope Leo XIV. This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him while the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church begins and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.”
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Catholic, said in a statement: “This is a moment of deep meaning for the Catholic Church, which offers a renewed hope and continuity in the middle of the year of Jubilee 2025 to more than one billion faithful worldwide.”
“The United States hopes to deepen our lasting relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff,” said Rubio’s statement.
The former president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, also Catholic, said: “We all wait and pray for the success of her holiness and vision for the Church.”
“In his own words, Pope Leo XIV said: ‘We can be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, which is always open to receive everyone,” he said in a statement. “We thank God for His Holiness to Pope Leo XIV and for this vision of unity.”
The priests react to the white smoke from the fireplace in the Sistine Chapel, which indicates that a new Pope has been chosen, in the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.
Marko Djurica / Reuters
The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, described the Premost team “the best moment in the history of the largest city,” telling ABC News Live that the new Pope “was born in Chicago, educated in Chicago, returned and served this city.”
Johnson praised the new Pope, saying that “he recognizes and understands the value of immigration.” The last Pope to be called Leo, Leo XIII in 1878, was known as the “Pope of Labor”, and Johnson called Chicago the most pro-workdora city in the United States.
“Today is really a remarkable day” for Chicago and the world, said Johnson.
The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert F. Prevost of the United States, appears on the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro in the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.
Dylan Martínez/Reuters
World leaders also offer their congratulations.
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, wrote in X: “I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate.”
“In a time marked by conflicts and disturbances, his words from the lodge of blessings are a powerful call to peace, fraternity and responsibility,” Meloni wrote in Italian. “A spiritual legacy that remains on the road tracked by Pope Francis, and that Italy considers respect and hope.”
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, published a statement in X that the election of Pope Leo XIV was a “deep moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom.”
“Pope Leo is the first American Pope,” Starmer wrote. “This is a transcendental moment.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote in X that the ascent of Premost a Pope reaffirms “our humanistic commitment to promote peace and prosperity in the world.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney offered good wishes to Pope Leo XIV and described his choice as a “historical moment for the Catholic community.”
“The white smoke that rises over the Sistine Chapel indicates the beginning of a new papacy: a moment of renewal, hope and unity for more than one billion faithful worldwide,” Carney published in X.
The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, congratulated Pope Leo XIV, writing in X that he hopes to continue the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“We do not need wars, hate and intolerance,” Da Silva wrote in Portuguese. “We need more solidarity and more humanism. We need love for our neighbor, which is the foundation of the teachings of Christ.”
The Catholic University of Augustinia Villanova University in Pennsylvania also celebrates the Pope, who obtained a degree in mathematics there in 1977.
“What a proud and extraordinary day for the University of Villanova and the Global Church!” The president of the University, the Reverend Peter M. Donohue, told the community of Villanova.
“A new Pope provides new perspectives, renewed priorities and spiritual orientation, all of which can deepen our mission, strengthen our values and enrich our community,” Donohue said. “Known for his humility, gentle spirit, prudence and warmth, the leadership of Pope Leo XIV offers the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission, through an Augustinian lens, while we seek intellectual and spiritual growth.”
The Faithful React to the announcement that United States Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen by the conclave as the new Pope, with the name of Pope Leo XIV, in the Vatican, on May 8, 2025.
Eloisa López/Reuters
As the war between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wrote on social networks, “congratulations to his holiness Pope Leo XIV @pontifex for his election to the headquarters of San Pedro and at the beginning of his pontificate.”
“Ukraine deeply values the consistent position of the Holy See to defend international law, condemn the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and protect the rights of innocent civilians,” said Zelenskyy. “In this decisive moment for our country, we expect the continuous moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in the efforts of Ukraine to restore justice and achieve lasting peace. I wish its holiness the wisdom, inspiration and strength of Leo XIV, both spiritual and physical, in carrying out its noble mission.”
Meanwhile, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said in a message: “Accept my sincere congratulations for his choice as Pope. I am sure that the constructive dialogue and the interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us. I wish you, your success, success in the realization of the height of the high mission, as well as good health and good health and good health and good health.
In the midst of the Israel-Ahamas War, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said: “I send you my warmest wishes of the Holy City of Jerusalem. We hope to improve the relationship between Israel and the Holy See, and strengthening friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and throughout the world.”
“May his papacy be one of the bridges and the understanding between all religions and peoples,” he continued. “We see the immediate and safe return of the hostages that are still held in Gaza, and a new era of peace in our region and throughout the world.”
