World Leaders React as Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV
Political figures around the world have issued messages of congratulation to Robert Prevost, who was elected Thursday as Pope Francis’ successor.
Political figures around the world have issued messages of congratulation to Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, after his election on Thursday as pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Hailing from Chicago and a dual U.S.-Peru national, Prevost is the first North American Pope and second from the Americas, after his late predecessor Francis.
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Read More: ‘Peace Be With You’: Pope Leo XIV Steps Onto the World Stage
Here is how world leaders have reacted to the news.
United States
President Donald Trump, who attended Francis’ funeral in April, posted his congratulations to Leo 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 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, also a Catholic, posted a response to the news, saying on X: “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,” Obama said.
On the official X account for the George W. Bush Presidential Center, former President George W. Bush shared a statement congratulating Leo and calling his election 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.
Former President Bill Clinton shared a message on X after Leo gave his inaugural address before a crowd gathered at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. “In his first message today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV spoke to billions—Catholics and non-Catholics alike—calling for unity and offering peace, a message the world needs now more than ever,” Clinton said. “As the first American to lead the Catholic Church, his election marks a historic moment. I join in wishing His Holiness many blessings.”
Argentina
Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, posted a message on X shortly after Leo, whose name derives from the Latin for lion, was revealed to the world. The post included a seemingly AI-generated image of a lion in papal robes.
“THE FORCES OF HEAVEN HAVE GIVEN THEIR VERDICT CLEARLY,” Milei wrote in Spanish. “No more words, Your Honor. End.”
Australia
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Leo on X. “This is a moment of joy and hope for Catholics all over the world,” Albanese wrote. “May God bless Pope Leo XIV and may his papacy advance the cause of peace and justice, in the service of all humanity.”
Austria
Christian Stocker, Chancellor of Austria, said in German shared on X that he was “pleased” about the election of Pope Leo XIV.
“Habemus papam!” Stocker wrote, referencing the Latin phrase for ‘We have a Pope!’. “As Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria and as a Christian, I congratulate the Holy Father on his responsible office and wish him much strength and wisdom for his pontificate. The challenges of our time are great. This makes a strong voice for tolerance and peace in the world all the more important. May his work be an inspiration and hope to many people.”
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a longtime friend of Francis, welcomed the new Pope in a message coming from the world’s largest Catholic nation by population.
“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,” Lula said on X in Portuguese.
“May Pope Leo XIV bless us and inspire us in our ongoing pursuit of a better and more just world.”
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X that Leo “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.”
Ecuador
Daniel Noboa, the President of Ecuador, posted on X that the country welcomed Leo as the new Pope “with hope in our hearts.”
European Union
Leaders in the European Union also extended their congratulatory messages to the new Pope.
European Council President António Costa posted on X: “I warmly welcome the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, a moment of hope for millions around the world. In times of division and uncertainty, his spiritual leadership can help inspire unity, compassion, and peace. The European Union and the Holy See share a deep commitment to human dignity. I’m looking forward to working together in our shared pursuit of the common good.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X: “We sincerely congratulate His Holiness Leo XIV on his election as Pope and head of the Catholic Church. We wish that his pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue ↓”
And European Parliament President Roberta Metsola posted on X: “Welcome, Pope Leo XIV. May your leadership of the Catholic Church be a beacon of hope to all the faithful. And that your wisdom and strength continue to inspire the world as we work towards building bridges, unity and peace.”
