The world is reacting to the election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, with many mhighlighting both the symbolic and political implications of his appointment as the first American pope.
- U.S. President Donald Trump described the election as “a great honour” for the United States.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great honour for our Country,” Trump said on his Truth Social account on Thursday.
He added, “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Other world leaders offered congratulations while pointing to the potential role of the Vatican in global issues.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Leo upon his election, the Kremlin said. “I wish you, Your Holiness, success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being,” the message said, according to the Kremlin.
- Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for continued Vatican engagement, tweeting: “At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.”
- From Brussels, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa offered joint congratulations, tweeting they hope the new pontificate is “guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue.”
- French president Emmanuel Macron called the election “a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful,” adding: “On this May 8th, may this new pontificate be one of peace and hope.”
- Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he hopes “that this ground swell of best wishes toward Pope Leo XIV will give him strength and support as he takes on the immense responsibility of his pontificate,” according to a statement on X. He also said he looks forward to working with Leo “in addressing the many and interlinked challenges facing our world.”
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez congratulated the church in a post on X and said he hopes Leo’s “pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.
- United Arab Emirates President Mohamed Bin Zayed sent his “sincere best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his appointment as head of the Catholic Church and wish him success in continuing to promote mutual understanding, peace, and harmony throughout the world,” in a post on X.
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Leo is “more than American,” and highlighted his time spent in Peru. “I hope he is the great leader of the migrant people in the world and hopefully he encourages our Latin American migrant brothers, today humiliated in the United States,” he said in a post on X. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, according to the government’s official account on X, said he was praying for the “success in these efforts to spread the message of love and peace throughout the world, to promote dialogue between different religions and cultures, and that his reign be filled with achievements that serve all of humanity.