The Pope of Peace: Reactions from World Leaders
It took four ballots for the 133 cardinal electors locked in the conclave to elect the 267th Pontiff: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV. The announcement, greeted with enthusiasm by the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, marks the beginning of a historic papacy, with the first American Pope in the history of the Church.
Prevost, 69, born in Chicago, is a cardinal with an international career. Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops since 2023 and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, he has gained extensive experience as a missionary in Peru, where he obtained citizenship. His election, after a three-day conclave, reflects the cardinals’ desire for a leader capable of uniting tradition with global openness.
Known for his moderate and pastoral approach, Leo XIV delivered from the balcony of St. Peter’s an invitation to peace among peoples, reminding the faithful of God’s love, accessible to all, commemorating Pope Francis and thanking him for the path he had paved. His experience in Peru, where Prevost worked with marginalized communities, and his role in the selection of bishops worldwide make him a bridge between the North and South of the world. Prevost, an Augustinian (a formation he also emphasized in his first speech at St. Peter’s), brings with him a spirituality rooted in humility and service.
The Catholic world looks to the new Pope with hope, awaiting a leadership that reflects his dual identity: American and global. Across the ocean, words quickly arrived from Donald Trump: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. It is an honor to realize he is the first American Pope,” declared the U.S. President on his social platform Truth. In Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron sent “a fraternal message” to the new Pope and to all Catholics, wishing that the new pontificate “be a bearer of peace and hope.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz extended his congratulations, emphasizing that the new Pontiff offers “hope and guidance to millions of believers around the world in these difficult times.” The Presidents of the European Commission and Council, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, wrote: “Millions of Europeans draw daily inspiration from the Church’s enduring commitment to peace, human dignity, and mutual understanding among nations. We are confident that Pope Leo XIV will use his voice on the global stage to promote these shared values and encourage unity in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.” They added: “The EU stands ready to work closely with the Holy See to tackle global challenges and foster a spirit of solidarity, respect, and kindness.”
Meanwhile, in Italy, President Sergio Mattarella wrote: “At this historic moment, in which so much of the world is shaken by inhuman conflicts where it is above all the innocent who suffer the harshest consequences of such barbarity, I wish to assure you of the Italian Republic’s commitment to pursuing ever-stronger relations with the Holy See to continue promoting a vision of the world and of coexistence among peoples based on peace, on the guarantee of inalienable rights, and on dignity and freedom for all people.” Giorgia Meloni shared her message on X: “I extend my sincerest best wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate. In a time marked by conflict and anxiety, his words from the Loggia of Blessings are a powerful call to peace, fraternity, and responsibility. A spiritual legacy that follows the path traced by Pope Francis, and which Italy regards with respect and hope.”
