World leaders extended the celebration on Thursday, May 8th, following the election of Pope Leo XIV.
The newly elected Pope, 69, Robert Francis Prevaste, is a Propest from the United States known as Pope Leo XIV.
He became the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first Pope in history to come from America. He takes over the late Pope Francis from Argentina.
Also read: “Great Honor”: Trump welcomes the first American Pope
Following the announcement of the new Pope, leaders of various worlds sent their good to the new leaders of the Catholic Church.
US President Trump
President Donald Trump was one of the first to welcome Pope Leo XIV. In a post about True Society, Trump described the election of Americans as “great honor.”
“It’s a great honor to realize he was the first American Pope,” Trump said. “What excitement and what a wonderful honor for our nation. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer
British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer called Prevost’s election a “significant moment” and highlighted the church’s role in tackling global challenges.
“The election of Pope Leo XIV is a very profound moment of joy for Catholics in England and worldwide, and begins a new chapter for the church and world leaders,” Starmer writes to X:
Pope Leo XIV’s election is a very profound moment of joy for Catholics in England and around the world. I look forward to seeing my Holy Father soon. pic.twitter.com/kcxxdcawk0-Keir Starmer (@keir_starmer) May 8, 2025
“As Pope Francis demonstrated, Holy Sea plays a special role in connecting people and nations to address the major issues of our time, particularly on climate change, poverty alleviation, and promoting peace and justice around the world,” he added.
Kenya’s President William Root
Kenya’s President William Root was one of the first to send his good wishes to the Bishop of Rome via X.
“Congratulations to his sacred Pope Leo XIV regarding your election as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church,” Lud wrote.
Congratulations to his sacred Pope Leo XIV regarding your election as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. May your Pope become a shining light of love, hope and compassion. May it raise the poor, voicelessly, heal divisions, and steadyly to the peace of the champions… pic.twitter.com/oqdglafrmq– Dr. William Samoye Ruto (@williamsruto) May 8, 2025
“May your Pope be a shining light of love, hope and compassion, and may it lift the poor, firmly defend the peace, justice and holiness of voicelessness, healing, and human dignity around the world.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also spread her kind wishes.
“In an age marked by conflict and unrest, his words from Loggia delle Benedigioni are a powerful call for peace, brotherhood and responsibility. A spiritual heritage that follows the path taken by Pope Francis, Italy is a spiritual heritage that we see with respect and hope,” Meloni wrote in her X-account.
It’s a papa leone xiv er l’nizio del suo pontificato. The untold interrogation, Le Sue Parole Dalla Loggia Delle Benedizioni Sono un Richiamo Potente Alla Pace, Alla Fraternitàe Alla Responsabilità. Un’eredità spiritualeche si… pic.twitter.com/k63tyy0frx-Giorgia Meloni (@giorgiameloni) May 8, 2025
President of France, Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron described the opportunity as a “historical moment” for the church.
“The Catholic Church and its millions of faithful moments. For Pope Leo XIV, and for all Catholics in France and around the world, I will broaden the message of fraternity,” he wrote in X.
Barack Obama, former President of the United States
Former US President Barack Obama also congratulated X’s new Pope for saying, “Congratulations to Michelle and I, fellow Chicagoans, his sacred Pope Leo XIV.”
Michelle and I congratulate him on his sacred Pope Leo XIV, his Chicagoan companion. This is a historic day for the United States and I pray for him as he is beginning his sacred job of leading the Catholic Church and drawing examples for many, regardless of his faith. May 8, 2025
“This is a historic day for the United States and we pray for him as he begins his sacred work, regardless of his faith, to lead the Catholic Church and set an example for so many.”
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President of Hakainde Hichilema, Zambia
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema also shared a message of his good wishes.
We expand our sincere celebration to his sacred Pope Leo XIV regarding his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church. May his leadership be blessed with wisdom, compassion and strength as he shepherds the church in these decisive times. HH pic.twitter.com/sh6r5nc5xl-Hakainde Hichilema (@hhichilema) May 8, 2025
“We will expand our sincere celebration to his sacred Pope Leo XIV regarding his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church,” Hichilema said. “May his leadership be blessed with wisdom, compassion and strength as he shepherds the Church in these decisive times.”
WHO Chief, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreiusus
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), also extended his kind of words to the newly elected Pope.
“Congratulations to his sacred Pope Leo XIV. When the world needs more unity, generosity and peace than ever, we ask you for leadership.”
