The Vatican announced Thursday that Pope Leo Xiv, born in Robert Prevost, will occupy the highest power of the Catholic Church after two days of deliberation and votes on the Pope Conference.
After announcing the first elected American pope, world leaders began to respond with their own messages of support and good wishes.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, American Cardinal Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)
First United States elected Pope, know Pope Leo XIV
President Donald Trump brought to his social media website to express his “congratulations” and said: “It’s an honor to realize that he is the first pope in the United States.
"What excitement is an honor for our country," he added. "I look forward to meeting Pope Leo. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, the current leader of Leo’s hometown, posted his excitement for the news on X and said: “Everything, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!
He added: "We hope to welcome you home soon."
According to reports, Italy's leader Giorgia Meloni, who was closely connected with Pope Francis, extended her "the most sincere wish, and he began his position with the most sincere heart."
"When he was marked by conflict and turmoil, his words were the words of Loggia Delle Benedizioni, a powerful appeal to peace, brotherhood and responsibility," she said in reference to the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. "This is the spiritual legacy of the paths tracked by Pope Francis, Italian respect and hope."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened Pope Francis at the G7 summit held at Borgo Egna Resort in Savelli, Italy at least on June 14, 2024. (via Reuters via Vatican media/handouts)
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The Peruvian Government - Leo spent more than a decade in the Catholic Church and was appointed bishop in 2014 before gaining dual citizenship in 2015 - congratulations to President Dina Boluarte, providing “brotherly greetings” to the diocese.
The statement stressed: "He serves our people with love and faith. In his first message, he recalls with emotion in Chiclayo and intimate relationship with Peru." "May God bless him in his mission!"
Spanish President Pedro Sanchez said on X: "Congratulations to the new Pope Rio XIV of the entire Catholic Church for being elected (Popular).
"The Catholic Church and its millions of faithful historical moments," said French President Emmanuel Macron. "For Pope Leo, and for all Catholics in France and around the world, I conveyed a brotherly message.
He added on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: "On May 8, may this new purpose be one of peace and hope."
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, American Cardinal Robert F. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
Cardinal Robert Prevost
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes Pope Leo congratulates “wisdom, inspiration and strength – the power of spirit and body – for his noble mission.”
He continued: “Ukraine deeply valued the Holy See’s unanimous position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.” “At a decisive moment in our country, we hope that the Vatican will continue to support morally and spiritually in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve lasting peace.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the moment of appointment of the first U.S. pope was a "important moment" and said: "Election of Pope Leo XIV is a time of deep joy for Catholics in Britain and around the world.
He added: “I look forward to seeing the Father soon.”
The nun’s reaction to the white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Church indicates that the new pope was elected in the Vatican on May 8, 2025. (Marko Djurica / Reuters)
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo wrote on X: “We congratulate him on Leo XIV, elected by Cardinal College as the spiritual leader of the Vatican State University and the Catholic Church.
She added: “I reiterate our humanists’ integration of world peace and prosperity.”