U.S. President Donald Trump has described the election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, as a moment of great pride for the United States. Reacting to the historic announcement on Thursday via his Truth Social platform, Trump extended his congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was chosen by the College of Cardinals as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a great honor for our country,” Trump wrote.
Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, emerged as the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff following the end of the conclave at the Vatican. He succeeds the late Pope Francis and is widely known for his years of missionary work in Peru and his close alignment with the reformist agenda of his predecessor.
Shortly after white smoke signalled the successful election, the newly elected pope addressed thousands of jubilant faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square. From the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, he spoke in Italian, offering his first public words as the head of the global Catholic Church.
Prevost’s elevation to the papacy marks a significant milestone in Church history, as no American had ever been elected pope before. His election has sparked widespread reactions from around the world, with political and religious leaders sending in their messages of goodwill.
