US President Donald Trump has rejoiced in the election of the first pope born in the United States, describing it as a “Great Honor” that Robert Francis Prevost, who selected Leo XIV as his papal name, was chosen on Thursday, May 8, as the first American pontiff.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Mr. Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Trump had earlier expressed that he had “no preference” regarding the identity of the new pope and provoked criticism from some Catholics after sharing an AI-generated image of himself depicted as pope on social media.
Prevost, aged 69, was born in Chicago and studied at Villanova University before serving as a missionary in Peru.
He was elected and embraced his role as the next Bishop of Rome, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, earlier on Thursday.
Pope Leo XIV will follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who passed away last month after guiding the Catholic Church for over ten years. He was instrumental in defining the church’s image during his tenure, placing significant emphasis on issues like climate change.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli