World Welcomes Election of First American Pope Leo XIV

Robert Francis Prevost, the first American pope, was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church and leading over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. His election was warmly welcomed by global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who praised his potential to foster peace, unity, and dialogue among diverse communities. Jewish leaders and organizations also expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV’s papacy would strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations and promote peace and understanding across faiths. In his first public address from St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV emphasized peace and inclusivity, speaking in Italian and Spanish and reflecting on his missionary work in Latin America. Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani highlighted the importance of his moral leadership and commitment to human dignity during a time when the world seeks unity and compassion. The new pope is expected to continue reforms initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis, and to play a significant role in addressing global spiritual and social challenges.