Political figures around the world have begun congratulating Robert Francis Prevost for being chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Hailing from Chicago, Prevost is the first American Pope.
The decided vote to elect Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, comes after 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.
Pope Francis, who was elected by the cardinals in the conclave in 2013, died on April 21.
The 88-year-old 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!”
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.
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 in the future.
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 UK and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good.”
English (US) · 