Political figures around the world are congratulating Robert Francis Prevost for being elected as the successor to Pope Francis. Hailing from Chicago, Prevost is the first American Pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Wednesday, May 7, for the papal conclave—a ritual that has been followed to elect every Pope since 1179. On the first day, black smoke billowed from the chapel chimney, signifying that the initial vote was not conclusive. A day later, when white smoke appeared instead, the public knew that two-thirds of the cardinals had agreed on a candidate. Soon after, Cardinal Dominique François Joseph Mamberti appeared on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and announced that Prevost would be the new Pope.
Prevost follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after a series of complicated health issues.
Read More: Conclave Picks Robert Prevost, Who Will Be Pope Leo
Read more: Where Pope Leo Stands On Specific Issues
The 88-year-old, who became Pope in 2013, was known for being a reform-minded leader of the Catholic Church and was the first Latin American Pope. He expressed support for same-sex civil unions and said that transgender people can be baptized. While, historically, the Catholic Church has been largely silent on the issue of climate change, Francis became a prominent figure in the worldwide climate movement. He also notably urged for peace amid global conflict. Soon after the initiation of the Israel-Hamas War on Oct. 7, 2023, Francis began making daily calls to the Holy Family parish, a Catholic Church in Gaza.
Here is how world leaders have reacted to the news that Prevost will be succeeding Pope Francis.
United States
U.S. President Donald Trump, who attended Francis’ funeral in April, posted his congratulations to Prevost on Truth Social.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” Trump said. “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic who met with Pope Francis in the Vatican a day before his passing, shared his own message, celebrating the announcement.
“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!” Vance posted on X. “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, a Catholic, also issued a response to the news, saying: “May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois.”
He went on to congratulate Prevost on behalf of himself and his wife, former First Lady Jill Biden.
Former President Barack Obama posted on X that he and former First Lady Michelle Obama sent their congratulations “to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.”
“This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith,” he said.
Former President George W. Bush shared a statement on the official X account for the George W. Bush Presidential Center congratulating Prevost on his new role, calling it a “historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world.”
“We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love,” Bush said.
Ireland
Ireland’s Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Micheál Martin shared a statement on X after the new Pope was announced.
“The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St. Peter’s Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new Pope,” he said. “I hope that this ground swell of best wishes towards Pope Leo XIV will give him strength and support as he takes on the immense responsibility of his pontificate. I know that he has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions.”
Martin, who attended Francis’s funeral last month along with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, said that he looks forward to working with the new Pope.
Martin also extended his congratulations to the U.S., “a country with which Ireland enjoys such a deep and strong relationship.”
“To have a Pope from their country is a source of great pride and honour for their nation,” he concluded.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called Prevost’s election “a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally” in a statement posted on X. He said Prevost being the first American Pope was “momentous.”
“As Pope Francis’ papacy showed, the Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address the major issues of our time; especially on climate change, alleviating poverty and promoting peace and justice across the world,” he said.
“I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the U.K. and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good.”
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her “most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate.” She said that “in a time marked by conflict and unrest,” the new Pontiff had shared a “powerful call for peace, brotherhood and responsibility” when speaking from the balcony.
Read More: 10 Surprising Facts About Papal Conclaves
Poland
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who also attended Francis’ funeral, offered his “heartfelt congratulations” to Prevost on X.
“This is a deeply moving moment for the community of the Catholic Church and for the whole world,” he said.
Ukraine
In a statement posted on X, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Prevost for his election, adding that he hoped the two could work together amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians,” he said. “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.”
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on X that Prevost “is more than just an American,” highlighting how the new Pope’s ancestors are Spanish and French, and that he lived in Peru for many years.
“I hope he becomes a great leader for migrants around the world, and I hope that he lifts up our Latino migrant brothers and sisters who are currently being humiliated by the U.S. It’s time for them to organize,” Petro said. “May he help us build the great force of humanity that defends life, and defeat the greed that has caused the climate crisis and the extinction of living things.”
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered his congratulations to the Catholic Church and Prevost, saying: “May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”
France
French President Emmanuel Macron called May 8 “a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful” in a post on X.
“To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the world, I extend a message of fraternity,” Macron said. “May this new Pontificate be one of peace and hope.”
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a longtime friend of Pope Francis, welcomed the new Pope in a message coming from the world’s largest Catholic nation.
“I hope he continues the legacy of Pope Francis, whose main virtues were the incessant search for peace and social justice, the defense of the environment, dialogue with all people and all religions, and respect for the diversity of human beings,” he said on X.
“May Pope Leo XIV bless us and inspire us in our ongoing pursuit of a better and more just world.”
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered his congratulations to the new Pope on May 8.
“I am certain that the constructive dialogue and interaction that has been established between Russia and the Vatican will develop further on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,” news outlets quoted him as saying.
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Prevost in a statement posted on the Prime Minister’s official X account, saying: “I wish the first Pope from the United States success in fostering hope and reconciliation among all faiths.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also shared a statement on X, saying that he looked forward to “deepening the relationship” between Israel and the Vatican.
“May your papacy be an opportunity to build bridges and promote understanding among all religions and people,” Herzog said.
Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took to social media to welcome the new Pope.
“The Pope’s message of peace is a crucially important one,” he said on X. “Today, his emphasis on the need for building bridges is more significant than it has been for a long time.”
Ecuador
Daniel Noboa, the president of Ecuador, posted on X that the country welcomed Prevost as the new Pope “with hope in our hearts.”