World leaders congratulate Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff

The Vatican on Thursday announced that Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, will take up the highest authority in the Catholic Church after only two days of deliberation and voting by the papal conclave. 

Upon the announcement of the first American pontiff to be elected, world leaders began reacting with their own messages of support and good wishes. 

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

UKRAINE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wished Pope Leo congratulations along with “wisdom, inspiration, and strength—both spiritual and physical—in carrying out his noble mission.”

“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,” he continued.  “At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.”

UNITED KINGDOM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the appointment of the first American pontiff a “momentous moment” and said, “The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and around the world. 

“I look forward to meeting the Holy Father soon,” he added. 

Nuns react to white smoke from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel, indicating that a new pope has been elected, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

MEXICO

The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, wrote on X, “We congratulate His Holiness Leo XIV, elected by the College of Cardinals as Head of Vatican City State and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. 

“I reaffirm our humanist convergence for world peace and prosperity,” she added.