From Washington to Rome and beyond, world leaders continue to welcome the election of Pope Leo XIV, recognising the historic nature of the first American pontiff and the hopes it brings for global unity and moral leadership.
World leaders continue to react to the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV—the 267th pontiff and the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
White smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel on Thursday signalled his election by at least 89 of 133 cardinals. His first public words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica were, “Peace be with all of you!” as bells tolled and crowds erupted in celebration.
First reactions from global leaders:
U.S. President Donald Trump
“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!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Pope. I am confident that the constructive dialogue and cooperation established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us.”
“I wish you, Your Holiness, success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being,” Putin said in a telegram published by the Kremlin.
French President Emmanuel Macron
“A historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful. To Pope Leo XIV, to all Catholics in France and around the world, I send a fraternal message.”
“On this May 8th, may this new pontificate bring peace and hope.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex on his election to the See of Saint Peter. Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.”
“I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration, and strength—both spiritual and physical—in carrying out his noble mission. Ad multos annos!”
Argentine President Javier Milei
“The forces of Heaven have clearly given their verdict. No more words, Mr. Judge. End.”
Argentine Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni
“Congratulations to Leo XIV on his assumption of office. May his leadership and wisdom guide us in difficult times. The world needs the awakening of the lions.”
“God bless you and may the Forces of Heaven be with you.”
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker
“Habemus Papam! I congratulate Pope Leo XIV on taking this office that carries such great responsibilities and wish him much strength and wisdom for his pontificate.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
“I warmly congratulate you on your election as the head of the Catholic Church. Through your office, you offer hope and guidance to millions of believers worldwide in these times of great challenges.”
“In Germany, people look to your pontificate with confidence and positive expectation. I wish you much strength, good health, and God’s blessing for the tasks that lie ahead of you.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
“Congratulations to the whole Catholic Church on the election of the new Pope Leo XIV as @Pontifex_en. May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
“We have a Pope! there is hope!”
As more reactions pour in, it is clear that Pope Leo XIV’s election has stirred a global wave of goodwill and expectations. The Vatican, under his leadership, now begins a new chapter at a time of complex challenges and growing spiritual needs.
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER
"The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world."
"Pope Leo is the first American Pope. This is a momentous moment. 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."
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI
"Italians will look to you as a guide and point of reference, recognizing in the Pope and the Church that spiritual and moral authority that derives from its inexhaustible message of love, charity and hope, which flows from the Word of God," she said in a letter to the Pope.
FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
"This an 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."
SPIRITUAL LEADER OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS BARTHOLOMEW I
“I greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations.”
“I hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator ... for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind,”.
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Ukraine "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo XIV. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, 9 December.
Pope Leo XIV will end a three-day visit to Lebanon on Tuesday (2 December), concluding his first overseas trip as Catholic leader with an urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East and a warning that humanity’s future is threatened by the world’s bloody conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV visited Martyrs’ Square in Beirut on Monday, the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, where he met with Christian and interreligious leaders to promote dialogue and unity among different faiths.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Beirut on Sunday, marking the second stop of his first overseas trip since becoming pontiff in May. The visit, coming directly from Türkiye, is being hailed as a moment of spiritual encouragement for a nation struggling with deep political and economic crises.
The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 161, after forensic analysis confirmed one more victim among the charred remains at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, more than three weeks after the blaze began, authorities said on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump on 29 December in Florida, where he is expected to present a package of military options regarding Iran, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday.
The United States seized a second merchant vessel carrying oil off the coast of Venezuela in international waters on Saturday, as part of Washington’s sanctions enforcement campaign, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
US intelligence assessments indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek full control of Ukraine and to expand Russia’s influence in parts of Europe formerly under Soviet rule, contradicting repeated claims that Moscow poses no threat to the continent.
A major power outage swept across San Francisco on Saturday, leaving up to 130,000 customers without electricity, disrupting traffic and forcing some businesses to close temporarily, officials said.
Russia’s top foreign policy adviser has criticised recent European and Ukrainian amendments to U.S. proposals for ending the war in Ukraine, saying the changes do not increase the likelihood of peace.
The Nigerian government has confirmed the release of a further 130 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State in November, completing the rescue of all pupils taken during one of the country’s largest recent mass kidnappings.
As pollution levels in New Delhi reached dangerously high levels over the weekend, residents of the Indian capital sought refuge in the cooler, cleaner air of northern India's hill towns.
Israel’s government has approved the creation of 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that analysts say further undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state. The decision comes amid a sustained period of settlement expansion under Israel’s far-right-led government.
Ukrainian negotiators are scheduled to hold another round of talks with U.S. officials on Sunday to discuss efforts to end the ongoing war with Russia. Top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov expressed hope for progress, highlighting that discussions have been both "constructive and substantive."
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