MOSCOW, May 9 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) — Leaders of global powers, including the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands, congratulated US Cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops Robert Francis Prevost on his election as the new pope, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported.
The new pope has taken the name Leo XIV. This is the first pontiff from the United States in history.
“I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate. In a time of conflicts and anxiety, his words from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica are a powerful call for peace, fraternity, and responsibility,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will follow the path of solidarity, compassion and dignity in an era of global challenges.
“The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world … I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the UK and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, noting that this is a special moment for the global Catholic community and beyond.
Venezuela has also sent official congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope that his pontificate will continue the course of social justice and interreligious dialogue, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, commenting on the election of new Pope Leo XIV, emphasised his Latin roots and deep connection with Latin America, expressing hope that the pontificate will become a powerful voice in defence of migrants and the environment.
“Congratulations to His Holiness Leo XIV, elected by the College of Cardinals as the head of the Vatican State and the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. I reaffirm our humanistic solidarity for world peace and prosperity,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes that Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis, will advocate for peace and social justice.
In addition, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and said that he looks forward to continuing cooperation with the Holy See.
Palestinian movement Hamas also expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV “maintains this moral approach of supporting the oppressed, taking decisive action in international arenas to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by the Zionist occupation against defenceless children, women, and civilians in Gaza, and ending the systematic violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine.”
— BERNAMA-SPUTNIK