Donald Trump says he ‘cannot wait’ to fulfill Pope Leo as he joins Sir Keir Starmer and international leaders in congratulating the primary American pontiff

President Donald Trump mentioned he’s going to ‘sit up for assembly’ Robert Prevost who has grow to be the primary American pope in historical past.

The pontiff, who might be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, will grow to be Francis’ successor following two days of balloting within the Sistine Chapel.

He emerged onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica as a packed St Peter’s Square erupted in cheers and applause. 

In his first phrases, Pope Leo mentioned ‘Peace be with you’, providing a message of peace and discussion ‘with out worry.’

Trump hailed the election as a ‘nice honor’ for the United States as Pope Leo, 69, turns into the primary American pontiff within the 2,000-year historical past of the Catholic Church.

‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was once simply named Pope. It is such an honor to comprehend that he’s the primary American Pope. What pleasure, and what a Great Honor for our Country,’ Trump mentioned on his Truth Social community.

‘I sit up for assembly Pope Leo XIV. It might be an excessively significant second!’. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the election as a ‘deeply profound second of pleasure for Catholics within the United Kingdom and globally’.

The pontiff, who might be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, will grow to be Francis’ successor following two days of balloting within the Sistine Chapel 

Donald Trump described the election as a ‘nice honor’ for the United States as Pope Leo turns into the primary American pontiff within the 2,000-year historical past of the Catholic Church

Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost spoke in Italian after which switched to Spanish in his first speech as pope, recalling his a few years spent as a missionary after which archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

The tennis loving cardinal – who’s often referred to as Father Bob – is observed because the ‘least American of the Americans’ and is observed as a silent reformer who would lift at the paintings of Pope Francis.

He was once a well-liked selection with the Latin American and North American cardinals, even if he has stored his perspectives on subjects equivalent to girls clergy and identical intercourse unions noticeably quiet.

Prevost had to triumph over the taboo towards a US pope, given the geopolitical energy already wielded via the United States within the secular sphere.

Pope Leo’s appointment was once printed simply after 5pm UK time on Thursday when white smoke was once observed emerging from the Sistine Chapel, confirming the scoop to the arena.

Trump later spoke to newshounds outdoor the West Wing in regards to the new pope, who hails from Chicago.

‘To have the pope from America, that is an excellent honor,’ Trump mentioned in short remarks. ‘What larger honor may there be. We’re a bit bit stunned however more than happy.’

‘We have been staring at, and so they mentioned he is from the United States of America and I mentioned ‘That’s nice.”

Other international leaders have additionally reacted to the scoop together with Sir Keir who labelled it a ‘momentous second’.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled the election of Pope Leo as a ‘momentous second’

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke back to the election via announcing he hopes Pope Leo’s hold forth might be one in all ‘peace and hope’

Russian President Vladimir Putin additionally congratulated new the pope announcing he was hoping the American pontiff would have interaction in ‘optimistic discussion’ with the Kremlin

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: ‘The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound second of pleasure for Catholics within the United Kingdom and globally, and starts a brand new bankruptcy for the management of the Church and on the planet.

‘Pope Leo is the primary American Pope. This is a momentous second.

‘As Pope Francis’ papacy confirmed, the Holy See has a different position to play in bringing other folks and international locations in combination to deal with the foremost problems with our time; particularly on local weather exchange, assuaging poverty and selling peace and justice internationally.

‘I sit up for assembly the Holy Father and proceeding to paintings intently with the Catholic Church right here in the United Kingdom and across the world to advance our shared values and the typical just right.’

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke back to the election via announcing he hopes Pope Leo’s hold forth might be one in all ‘peace and hope’.

‘A historical second for the Catholic Church and its hundreds of thousands of devoted,’ he posted on social media. 

‘To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the globe, I prolong a message of fraternity. On this May eighth, might this new hold forth be one in all peace and hope.’

Russian President Vladimir Putin additionally congratulated the brand new pope announcing he was hoping the American pontiff would have interaction in ‘optimistic discussion’ with the Kremlin.

‘I’m sure that the optimistic discussion and interplay that has been established between Russia and the Vatican will broaden additional at the foundation of the Christian values that unite us,’ information companies quoted Putin as announcing.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plead for persevered strengthen from the Vatican.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plead for persevered strengthen from the Vatican following the election of Pope Leo

In a submit on X, Mr Zelensky wrote: ‘Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election to the See of Saint Peter and the start of his hold forth.

‘Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s constant place in upholding world regulation, condemning the Russian Federation’s army aggression towards Ukraine, and protective the rights of blameless civilians.

‘At this decisive second for our nation, we are hoping for the ongoing ethical and religious strengthen of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to revive justice and reach a long-lasting peace.

‘I want His Holiness Leo XIV knowledge, inspiration, and strength-both religious and physical-in sporting out his noble challenge. Ad multos annos!’

Spain’s left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez mentioned he was hoping newly elected Pope Leo would ‘give a contribution to strengthening discussion and the defence of human rights’.

‘May his hold forth give a contribution to strengthening discussion and the defence of human rights in an international that wishes hope and cohesion,’ Sanchez wrote on X. 

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain additionally congratulated the newly elected pope.

‘His name for peace evokes us, encourages us, and displays the deep want and sentiment of the Spanish other folks,’ the royal palace mentioned on X.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned: ‘Through your position, you supply hope and steerage to hundreds of thousands of believers around the globe in those difficult instances’.

In a letter to the pope, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni mentioned: ‘Italians will glance to you as a information and level of reference, spotting within the Pope and the Church that religious and ethical authority that derives from its inexhaustible message of affection, charity and hope, which flows from the Word of God.’

Following the election, Polish President Andrzej Duda spoke a ‘a different bond of non secular cohesion’ between predominantly Catholic Poland and the Church.

‘Please settle for the reassurance of the readiness of the Republic of Poland to additional give a boost to those distinctive bonds – within the identify of shared values, accountability for the typical just right and the strengthening of peace on the planet,’ Duda, a conservative Catholic, mentioned on X.

Colombia’s president hailed the number of an American pope with deep ties to Latin America, expressing hope that the brand new pontiff backs Latino migrants in his local United States.

‘I’m hoping he turns into an excellent chief for migrant peoples around the globe, and I’m hoping he encourages our Latin American migrant brothers and sisters, humiliated nowadays within the United States. It’s time for them to arrange,’ President Gustavo Petro mentioned on social media.

Prevost emerged victorious on the Conclave on Thursday, a procedure the place cardinals vote in secret to elect the brand new pope that was once watched in anticipation via hundreds of thousands 

Robert Prevost who has been named as the brand new Pope

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa mentioned: ‘We welcome Pope Leo XIV with hope in our hearts. May your phrase unite, convenience, and information hundreds of thousands in instances of uncertainty. Our prayers are with you from Ecuador.’

While,  President of Argentina Javier Milei mentioned: ‘The forces of Heaven have obviously given their verdict. No extra phrases, Mr. Judge’

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the appointment of Pope Leo as a ‘day of profound importance’ urging the brand new pope to face with Gaza.

In a submit on X, she wrote: ‘This is an afternoon of profound importance for Catholics in Ireland and international, as Pope Leo XIV assumes his position of non secular chief.

‘I’m hoping he’s going to use his affect to get up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with braveness and compassion – simply as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did.

‘As the genocide in Gaza continues and a devastating famine looms, I beg the Pope to face unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian other folks to existence, dignity, and freedom, and to urgently use his affect to lend a hand convey an finish to this barbaric genocide.’ 

Irish premier Micheal Martin additionally gave his congratulations to the brand new pope in addition to to the United States.

Mr Martin mentioned: ‘The scenes of serious pleasure and celebrations in St Peter’s Square are a mirrored image of the hopes and goodwill felt via other folks of the Catholic religion from all over the international in opposition to the brand new Pope.

‘I’m hoping that this groundswell of very best needs in opposition to Pope Leo XIV will give him energy and strengthen as he is taking at the immense accountability of his hold forth. I do know that he has the most productive needs of all Irish other folks, of all traditions.’

The Taoiseach added: ‘I additionally ship my congratulations to the folks of the United States, a rustic with which Ireland enjoys this sort of deep and powerful dating.

‘To have a Pope from their nation is a supply of serious delight and an honour for his or her country.

‘I want Pope Leo XIV each energy, just right well being, and the specified religious steerage as he starts his challenge of main the Catholic Church at a time of problem, construction at the pastoral path and achievements of Pope Francis.

‘I sit up for running with Pope Leo XIV as a very powerful and influential spouse in addressing the numerous and interlinked demanding situations going through our international, as we paintings for peace, justice and sustainable construction for all.’ 

Prevost observed in his first cope with to the arena after being named as the brand new pope 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog mentioned his nation welcomed the possibility of more potent ties with the Vatican.

‘We sit up for bettering the connection between Israel and the Holy See, and strengthening the friendship between Jews and Christians within the Holy Land and around the globe. May your papacy be one in all construction bridges and figuring out between all faiths and peoples,’ Herzog posted on X.

Posting on social media, European Commission leader Ursula von der mentioned: ‘We want that his hold forth be guided via knowledge and energy, as he leads the Catholic neighborhood and evokes the arena via his dedication to peace and discussion’

Christine Allen, director and leader govt of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development mentioned: ‘Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, might be a voice of knowledge in a fractured and divided international, as he continues the essential paintings of main the church on the planet and offering religious and ethical steerage to the worldwide neighborhood.

‘Having spent years in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, brings with him the necessary standpoint of the Global South, raising voices from the margins to centre degree.

‘Now greater than ever the arena wishes a powerful and steadfast ethical voice that may draw consideration to a very powerful problems in our international: the crippling debt disaster – a key center of attention of this Jubilee Year – which prevents low-income international locations from spending on well being and schooling for his or her other folks; the local weather disaster and the conflicts blighting our international.

‘This election mirrored a world Church, with cardinals from each nook of the arena balloting – bringing a broader outlook to addressing nowadays’s world problems.’

People watch as newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica

A girl seems emotional as she reacts to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV

Faithful react to the announcement that US Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected via the conclave as new pope

Nuns pray within the crowd following the announcement that Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected via the conclave as the brand new pope

Faithful cheer as newly elected Pope Leo XIV seems at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica

White smoke has in the end risen from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel – indicating that cardinals have elected a brand new pope on the second one and ultimate day of conclave

Prevost was once born in Chicago, Illinois and started learning to grow to be a clergyman with the Catholic Church on the age of 18, prior to occurring to check arithmetic at Villanova University in Pennsylvania 4 years later. 

He spent a lot of his early existence in South America and in addition holds Peruvian citizenship, and was once mentioned to had been observed because the ‘least American of the Americans’ who have been within the working on the Conclave. 

A well-liked determine within the church who served as the top of Pope Francis’ vetting procedure for brand spanking new bishop nominations, he has been particularly quiet about his perspectives on subjects equivalent to girls within the clergy and identical intercourse unions. 

He waded into gender ideology whilst serving as a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru in 2012, announcing that ‘the promotion of gender ideology is complicated, as it seeks to create genders that do not exist.’ 

Following his commencement in Pennsylvania, Prevost first went to Peru in 1985 as a missionary prior to turning into the Roman Catholic Diocese for the Chulucanas area that very same 12 months. 

Prevost returned to paintings as a pastor in Chicago in 1987 for three hundred and sixty five days prior to turning into the top of the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, Peru – a job he stored for a decade. 

In 1998, he was once elected as the top of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, making him one of the most main non secular figures within the United States.