After Robert Francis Provost was elected the new pope, now known as Leo XIV, well wishes and messages of congratulations began pouring in from all around the world.
The 69-year-old, who is originally from Chicago, is the first pope from the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo on social media.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” he wrote. “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!”
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, also shared praise for the new leader of the Catholic Church.
“Habemus papam — May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success,” Biden wrote on social media.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in a post on X, wrote: “Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his historic selection. Doug and I join millions across our nation and around the world in praying for him as he steps into his new role and leads the Catholic Church.”
Former President Barack Obama said, “Michelle and I send our 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.”
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, wrote on social media: “I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate.”
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Leo’s election a “moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom.”
“Pope Leo is the first American Pope,” Starmer wrote. “This is a momentous moment.”
