Donald Trump says he ‘can’t wait’ to meet Pope Leo as he joins Sir Keir Starmer and world leaders in congratulating the first American pontiff

President Donald Trump said he will ‘look forward to meeting’ Robert Prevost who has become the first American pope in history.

The pontiff, who will be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel.

He emerged onto the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica as a packed St Peter’s Square erupted in cheers and applause. 

In his first words, Pope Leo said ‘Peace be with you’, offering a message of peace and dialogue ‘without fear.’

Trump hailed the election as a ‘great honor’ for the United States as Pope Leo, 69, becomes the first American pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,’ Trump said on his Truth Social network.

‘I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the election as a ‘deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally’.

Robert Francis Prevost, 69, was named as the first American pope in history on Thursday 

The pontiff, who will be named Pope Leo XIV, is the 267th Pope, will become Francis’ successor following two days of voting inside the Sistine Chapel 

Donald Trump described the election as a ‘great honor’ for the United States as Pope Leo becomes the first American pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church

Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost spoke in Italian and then switched to Spanish in his first speech as pope, recalling his many years spent as a missionary and then archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

The tennis loving cardinal – who is also known as Father Bob – is seen as the ‘least American of the Americans’ and is seen as a silent reformer who would carry on the work of Pope Francis.

He was a popular choice with the Latin American and North American cardinals, although he has kept his views on topics such as women clergy and same sex unions noticeably quiet.

Prevost had to overcome the taboo against a US pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere.

Pope Leo’s appointment was revealed just after 5pm UK time on Thursday when white smoke was seen rising from the Sistine Chapel, confirming the news to the world.

World leaders have reacted to the news including Sir Keir who labelled it a ‘momentous moment’.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘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.

‘Pope Leo is the first American Pope. This is a momentous moment.

‘As Pope Francis’ papacy showed, the Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address the major issues of our time; especially on climate change, alleviating poverty and promoting peace and justice across 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.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled the election of Pope Leo as a ‘momentous moment’

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the election by saying he hopes Pope Leo’s pontificate will be one of ‘peace and hope’

French President Emmanuel Macron responded to the election by saying he hopes Pope Leo’s pontificate will be one of ‘peace and hope’.

‘A historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful,’ he posted on social media. 

‘To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the world, I extend a message of fraternity. On this May 8th, may this new pontificate be one of peace and hope.’

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the appointment of Pope Leo as a ‘day of profound significance’ urging the new pope to stand with Gaza.

In a post on X, she wrote: ‘This is a day of profound significance for Catholics in Ireland and worldwide, as Pope Leo XIV assumes his role of spiritual leader.

‘I hope he will use his influence to stand up for the marginalised and oppressed, champion peace, and lead with courage and compassion – just as his predecessor, Pope Francis, did.

‘As the genocide in Gaza continues and a devastating famine looms, I encourage the Pope to stand unwaveringly for the rights of the Palestinian people to life, dignity, and freedom, and to urgently use his influence to help bring an end to this barbaric genocide.’

Irish premier Micheal Martin also gave his congratulations to the new pope as well as to the United States.

Mr Martin said: ‘The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St Peter’s Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new Pope.

‘I hope that this groundswell of best wishes towards Pope Leo XIV will give him strength and support as he takes on the immense responsibility of his pontificate. I know that he has the best wishes of all Irish people, of all traditions.’

The Taoiseach added: ‘I also send my congratulations to the people of the United States, a country with which Ireland enjoys such a deep and strong relationship.

‘To have a Pope from their country is a source of great pride and an honour for their nation.

‘I wish Pope Leo XIV every strength, good health, and the required spiritual guidance as he begins his mission of leading the Catholic Church at a time of challenge, building on the pastoral direction and achievements of Pope Francis.

‘I look forward to working with Pope Leo XIV as an important and influential partner in addressing the many and interlinked challenges facing our world, as we work for peace, justice and sustainable development for all.’ 

Spain’s left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he hoped newly elected Pope Leo would ‘contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights’.

‘May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world that needs hope and unity,’ Sanchez wrote on X. 

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain also congratulated the newly elected pope.

‘His call for peace inspires us, encourages us, and reflects the deep desire and sentiment of the Spanish people,’ the royal palace said on X.

Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday congratulated the newly elected pope, hailing a ‘a special bond of spiritual unity’ between predominantly Catholic Poland and the Church.

‘Please accept the assurance of the readiness of the Republic of Poland to further strengthen these unique bonds – in the name of shared values, responsibility for the common good and the strengthening of peace in the world,’ Duda, a conservative Catholic, said on X.

Posting on social media, European Commission chief Ursula von der said: ‘We wish that his pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue’

Christine Allen, director and chief executive of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development said: ‘Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, will be a voice of wisdom in a fractured and divided world, as he continues the important work of leading the church in the world and providing spiritual and moral guidance to the global community.

‘Having spent years in Peru, Pope Leo XIV, brings with him the vital perspective of the Global South, elevating voices from the margins to centre stage.

‘Now more than ever the world needs a strong and steadfast moral voice that can draw attention to the most important issues in our world: the crippling debt crisis – a key focus of this Jubilee Year – which prevents low-income countries from spending on health and education for their people; the climate crisis and the conflicts blighting our world.

‘This election reflected a global Church, with cardinals from every corner of the world voting – bringing a broader outlook to addressing today’s global issues.’

Prevost was born in Chicago, Illinois and began studying to become a priest with the Catholic Church at the age of 18, before going on to study mathematics at Villanova University in Pennsylvania four years later. 

He spent much of his early life in South America and also holds Peruvian citizenship, and was said to have been seen as the ‘least American of the Americans’ who were in the running at the Conclave. 

A popular figure in the church who served as the head of Pope Francis’ vetting process for new bishop nominations, he has been notably quiet about his views on topics such as women in the clergy and same sex unions. 

He waded into gender ideology while serving as a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru in 2012, saying that ‘the promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist.’ 

Following his graduation in Pennsylvania, Prevost first went to Peru in 1985 as a missionary before becoming the Roman Catholic Diocese for the Chulucanas region that same year. 

Prevost returned to work as a pastor in Chicago in 1987 for one year before becoming the head of the Augustinian seminary in Trujillo, Peru – a role he kept for a decade. 

In 1998, he was elected as the head of the Augustinian Province of Chicago, making him one of the leading religious figures in the United States.