Catholic Church: reactions to the new Pope

There is a new Pope: The American Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new head of the Catholic Church after only 24 hours of conclave in the Sistine chapel. As a Pontifex, the 69-year-old will bear the name Leo XIV. Reactions come from all over the world.

US President Donald Trump: “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.”

US vice JD Vance: “I am sure that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work at the head of the church.”

Reactions from Germany

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier: “Dilige et quod vis fac. Love and tu what you want. This Augustine wisdom may give them the inner strength and faith of how Leo the Great as the theological thinker and skillful diplomat to lead the church into the future and how to find an answer to the social issues of modernity like Leo XIII.”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “Due to their office, they give hope and orientation worldwide in these times.”

Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul: “Every Pope is the voice of worldwide Christianity. I wish him & all of us heard, because we Christians have to occur in the current world situation for connection and reconciliation.”

International reactions

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin: “I am confident that the constructive dialogue and the interaction between Russia and the Vatican will develop further based on the Christian values ​​that connect us.”

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj: “In this moment that is crucial for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in the efforts of Ukraine to restore justice and achieve permanent peace.”

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “At a time that is characterized by conflicts and unrest, his words from the Benediction Loggia are a powerful call to peace, fraternity and responsibility.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “We wish that his pontificate may be guided by wisdom and strength while leading the Catholic community and inspiring the world by his commitment to peace and dialogue.”

Israel’s President Izchak Duke: “May we experience the immediate and safe return of the hostages that are still captured in the Gaza Strip – and a new era of peace in our region and all over the world.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “I wish the first Pope from the United States every success in promoting hope and reconciliation between all faiths.”

Spain’s royal family with King Felipe VI. At the top: “His call to peace inspires and encourages us and reflects the deepest wishes and feelings of the Spanish people.”

Poland President Andrzej Duda: “From the bottom of my heart I would like to convey my warmest congratulations on his choice to his choice to his choice in the name of the Polish nation and in my own name.”

Great Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Strander: “Pope Leo is the first American Pope. It is an important moment.”

Argentina’s presidential office: “In times of confusion, fragmentation and global challenges, his leadership provides a leading light, a guiding fire and a lively testimony of faith, reason and charity for the Catholic believers, but also for the whole world.”

The chairman of the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference, Georg Bätzing: “The cardinals probably wanted a continuum to Pope Francis, but no copy.”

Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of the German Catholics: “With Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a man in the middle, politically versed, internationally networked and also well informed about the Catholic Church in Germany, has been voted Pope.”