Americans and world leaders cheered for the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, whose name was Robert Francis Prevost.
The 69 -year -old man, who came from Chicago, was the first whale from the United States.
President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo on social media, saying, “It is an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.”
“How excitement, and truly a great honor for our country,” Trump continued. “I hope to meet Pope Leo Xiv. This will be a very meaningful moment!”
Faithfully reacts to white smoke from the chimney in the sistine chapel which shows that the new whale has been selected, in the Vatican, May 8, 2025.
Claudia Greco/Reuters
Former President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic who has talked about his warm relationship with Pope Francis, wrote on social media, “Habemus Papam – May God bless Pope Leo Xiv from Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and hope he is successful.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in a post on Thursday night, wrote, “Congratulations on his holiness Pope Leo XIV for his historic selection. Doug and I joined millions of our countries and throughout the world in praying for him when he stepped into his new role and led the Catholic Church.”
Former President Barack Obama said, “Michelle and I sent our congratulations to fellow Chicago, his holiness Pope Leo XIV. This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him when he starts a sacred work that leads the Catholic Church and gives an example for many people, regardless of faith.”
State Secretary Marco Rubio, a Catholic, said in a statement, “This is a very important moment for the Catholic Church, offering new hopes and sustainability in the middle of the 2025 Jubilee year to be more than one billion loyal worldwide.”
“The United States hopes to deepen our long -lasting relationship with the Holy throne with the first American Pope,” Rubio’s statement said.
Former DPR Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also a Catholic, said, “We all hope and pray for the success of his holiness and his vision for the Church.”
“With his own words, Pope Leo Xiv said, ‘We can become a missionary church, a church that built a bridge, which is always open to accept everyone,'” he said in a statement. “Let’s thank God for His Majesty Pope Leo XIV and for the vision of this unity.”
The priests react to white smoke from the chimney in Sistine’s chapel, showing that the new whale has been selected, in the Vatican, May 8, 2025.
Marko Djurica / Reuters
Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson said the prevost selection “The biggest moment in the history of the biggest city,” told ABC News Live that the new Pope “was born in Chicago, educated in Chicago, returning and serving this city.”
Johnson praised the new Pope, saying he “recognized and understood the value of immigration.” The last whale named Leo, Leo XIII in 1878, is known as the “labor whale,” and Johnson called Chicago the most pro-working city in America.
“Today is really an extraordinary day” for Chicago and the world, said Johnson.
Pope Leo XIV who was newly selected, Cardinal Robert F. Prevost As, appeared on the Basilika Balcony St. Peter in Vatican, May 8, 2025.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
World leaders also offer congratulations.
Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, wrote in X, “I expand my most sincere desire to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pap.”
“In the time marked by conflict and riots, the words from loggia blessings are strong calls for peace, brotherhood, and responsibility,” Meloni wrote in Italian. “The spiritual heritage that follows on the road tracked by Pope Francis, and which is considered by Italy with respect and hope.”
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, posted a statement to X that the election of Pope Leo XIV was “a great moment of excitement for Catholics in the UK.”
“Pope Leo is the first American Pope,” Starmer wrote. “This is an important moment.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote to X that the increase in prevost to the Pope emphasized “our humanistic commitment to promote peace and prosperity in the world.”
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, offers good hope to Pope Leo XIV and describes his election as a “historical moment for the Catholic community.”
“White smoke that rises over Sistine’s chapel indicates the beginning of the new Papa – the moment of renewal, hope, and unity for more than one billion loyal worldwide,” Carney posted to X.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva congratulated Pope Leo XIV, writing in X that he hoped he continued his predecessor’s legacy, Pope Francis.
“We don’t need war, hatred, and intolerance,” Da Silva wrote in Portuguese. “We need more solidarity and more humanism. We need love for our neighbors, which is the foundation of Christ’s teachings.”
Augustinian Catholic University Villanova University in Pennsylvania also celebrates Pope, who won a bachelor’s degree in mathematics there in 1977.
“Really a proud and extraordinary day for the University of Villanova and the Global Church!” Pdt University President. Peter M. Donohue said in a message to the Villanova community.
“A new Pope carries a new perspective, new priority and spiritual guidance, all of which can deepen our mission, strengthen our values and enrich our community,” Donohue said. “Known for humility, gentle enthusiasm, care -attention and warmth, Pope Leo XIV’s leadership offers the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to our educational mission, through the Agustinian lens, when we pursue intellectual and spiritual growth.”
Faithfully reacted to the announcement that Cardinal Robert Prevost US was chosen by Konklave as a new Pope, with the name of Pope Leo XIV, in Vatican, May 8, 2025.
Eloisa Lopez/Reuters
When the war between Ukraine and Russia went berserk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media, “Congratulations on his holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontiffex for his election to see Saint Peter and the beginning of the papa.”
“Ukraine highly appreciates a consistent position of the holy throne in upholding international law, condemning the military aggression of the Russian federation against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians,” Zelenskyy said. “At the time that decides this for our country, we hope to sustainable moral and spiritual support from the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve lasting peace. I hope that policies, inspiration, and spiritual and physical strength – in carrying out noble missions.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin Said in a Message, “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your Election as POPE. I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican WILL Continue to develop on the basis of the Christian VALUES THAT UNITE US.
In the midst of the Israeli-Hamas war, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, “I send my warmest wishes from the holy city of Jerusalem. We hope to improve the relationship between Israel and the holy throne, and strengthen friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and throughout the world.”
“Hopefully your paptives will be one of building bridges and understanding between all religions and people,” he continued. “Hopefully we see the direct and safe return of hostages still held in Gaza, and the new era of peace in our region and throughout the world.”