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PARIS, France - World leaders welcomed the election on Thursday of Robert Francis Prevost, who as Pope Leo XIV, becomes the first leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics from the United States.

Here are key reactions:

- American pride -

"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," said US President Donald Trump. "I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"

"This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith," former US president Barack Obama said, congratulating the "fellow Chicagoan."

- Hope for 'moral' support: Zelensky -

"At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine's efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

- 'Christian values unite us': Putin -

"I am confident that the constructive dialogue and cooperation established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us," said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

- Stronger Vatican ties: Israel -

"We look forward to enhancing the relationship between Israel and the Holy See, and strengthening the friendship between Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and around the world. May your papacy be one of building bridges and understanding between all faiths and peoples," said Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

- Palestinian 'cause' -

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas sent "his best wishes for success to Pope Leo XIV in continuing his noble work and maintaining the legacy of the late pope Francis and his peace efforts," said an official statement. Abbas stressed "the importance of the moral, religious, and political role of the Holy See in defending just causes, first and foremost that of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and independence."

- Europe looks for 'responsibility' and 'guidance' -

"In a time marked by conflict and unrest, his words from the Loggia of Benedictions are a powerful call to peace, brotherhood and responsibility," said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

"Through your role, you provide hope and guidance to millions of believers around the world in these challenging times," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"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," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"May his pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defence of human rights in a world that needs hope and unity," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

"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," said Polish President Andrzej Duda, a conservative Catholic.

France's President Emmanuel Macron highlighted "a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful."

- Latin America sees a leader for peace and migrants

Peru's President Dina Boluarte hailed the "historic" election of a pope who has US and Peruvian nationality after spending more than 20 years in the country. "In our lands, he sowed hope, walking alongside those most in need," she said.

Leader of the world's second-largest Catholic population, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Pope Leo's values "in favor of world peace and prosperity."

"I hope he becomes a great leader for migrant peoples around the world, and I hope he encourages our Latin American migrant brothers and sisters, humiliated today in the United States. It's time for them to organize," said Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

- Africa seeks new chapter with same values -

"Pope Leo XIV's early emphasis on peace is a call that resonates with most of humanity and is one that honours the legacy of the late Pope Francis," said South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said "the election of Pope Leo XIV opens a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church and the values of love, humanity and charity, particularly to the underprivileged that it has consistently projected."

burs-jm/giv/tw/sla

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$\"Newly$ Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Alberto Pizzoli, AFP

(2nd UPDATE) Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Tens of thousands of people packed in St Peter's Square cheered as Prevost appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, waving with both hands, smiling and bowing.

"Peace by with you," he told the crowds.

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals' second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter's Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.

Crowds of people rushed towards the square to watch the balcony of the basilica, which has been fitted out with red curtains for the first address to the world by the 267th pope.

The new pontiff, who succeeds Argentine reformer Pope Francis, was introduced in Latin with his chosen papal name.

"It's an amazing feeling," said an elated Joseph Brian, a 39-year-old chef from Belfast in Northern Ireland, who came with his mother to Rome for the spectacle.

"I'm not an overly religious person but, being here with all these people just blew me away," he told AFP as people around him jumped up and down in excitement.

There were euphoric scenes as one priest sat on someone's shoulders waving a Brazilian flag and another lifted a heavy crucifix into the air in jubilation.

- 'Habemus Papam' -

"Habemus papam, woooo!" howled Bruna Hodara, 41, from Brazil, echoing the words to be spoken on the balcony as the new pope is introduced.

She, like others, recorded the historic moment on her phone, as others waved flags and cried out "Viva Il Papa!" -- "Long live the pope!" in Italian.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be here to see the pope. It's really special... I'm excited!" said Florian Fried, a 15-year-old from Munich, in Germany.

Pope Francis died last month aged 88 after a 12-year papacy during which he sought to forge a more compassionate Church -- but drew anger from many conservatives with his progressive approach.

The new pope now faces a momentous task: as well as asserting his moral voice on a conflict-torn global stage, he must try to unite a divided Church and tackle burning issues such as the the continued fall-out from the sexual abuse scandal.

Some 133 "Princes of the Church" from five continents -- the largest and most international conclave ever -- began voting on Wednesday afternoon.

Sworn to secrecy, on pain of excommunication, their only means of communicating their progress to the outside world was by sending up smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

On Wednesday evening and then again on Thursday lunchtime, the smoke was black, eliciting disappointed sighs from the tens of thousands watching.

But on Thursday afternoon just after 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) the smoke emitted was white, confirming that the Catholic Church has a new spiritual leader.

It was unknown how many ballots it took to elect the new pope, but it followed recent history in wrapping up in less than two days.

In 2005, Benedict XVI, a German theologian, was elected in four ballots and Francis, in 2013, was elected in five ballots.

While the details of the election will forever remain secret, the new pope had to secure at least two-thirds of votes to be elected.

By tradition, he now enters the Room of Tears -- where freshly-elected popes give free rein to their emotions -- to don a papal cassock for the first time, before returning to the Sistine Chapel so the cardinals can pledge their obedience.

He will then appear on the balcony along with a senior cardinal, who will announce to the waiting crowds "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope").

The pope will then give a short speech and impart his first "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") blessing.

- Pastor or diplomat -

The election has come at a time of great geopolitical uncertainty, which was seen as a key voting issue, along with the rifts within the Church.

Francis was a compassionate reformer who prioritised migrants and the environment, but he angered traditionalists who wanted a defender of doctrine rather than a headline-maker.

Some 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis. Hailing from 70 countries around the world, it was the most international conclave ever.

That was no guarantee, however, that the cardinals would pick someone in his vein.

The question was whether to choose a pastor or diplomat, a liberal or conservative, someone versed in the Curia -- the Church's governing body -- or a relative outsider from areas of the world where Catholic faith is thriving.

Before the cardinals were locked into the Sistine Chapel Wednesday, their dean Giovanni Battista Re urged them to choose someone able to protect the Church's unity.

The next pope must also be able to lead "at this difficult and complex turning point in history", amid raging conflicts around the world and the rise of ultra-nationalist parties.

The Church has also had difficulty in adapting to the modern world, with declining priest numbers and increasingly empty pews in the West.

The papal inauguration usually takes place less than a week after the election with a mass celebrated before political and religious leaders from around the world.

The new pope will likely do a tour of St Peter's Square in his popemobile for the first time, before delivering a homily outlining his priorities.

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Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

","description_text":"Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States on Thursday, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.","genre":[{"code":"Article","name":"Article (news)"}],"attachments":[],"charcount":5669,"wordcount":955,"readtime":4,"authors":[{"code":"673e29c86b03b6dae2e2a90e","name":"Agence France-Presse","role":"","biography":null,"byline":"","author_url":"","twitter":"","instagram":""}],"products":[],"subscribers":[]},{"guid":"urn:newsml:od2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com:2025-05-08T22:57:40.350950:75181ba3-6875-4ed3-b1ed-5c2e47fa9d5b","version":"8","type":"text","versioncreated":"2025-05-08T22:33:15.000Z","language":"en","headline":"Pope Leo XIV prays after being elected","urgency":3,"pubstatus":"usable","body_html":"

Pope Leo XIV was applauded by cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and prayed alone after being elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday (May 8).

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a little known missionary from Chicago, was a surprise choice and became the first U.S. pope.

Prevost, 69 and originally from Chicago, has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and has dual Peruvian nationality. He only became a cardinal in 2023. He has given few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.

Prevost becomes the 267th Catholic pope, following the death last month of Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years.

(Production: Liliana Ciobanu, Helena Williams)

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Pope Leo XIV was applauded by cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and prayed alone after being elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday.

","description_text":"Pope Leo XIV was applauded by cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and prayed alone after being elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday.","genre":[{"code":"Article","name":"Article (news)"}],"attachments":[],"charcount":717,"wordcount":122,"readtime":0,"authors":[{"code":"673ee4636c5d6f4efbfc6163","name":"Reuters Wires","role":"","biography":null,"byline":"Reuters","author_url":"","twitter":"","instagram":""}],"products":[],"subscribers":[]}]}},"priority":5,"subject":[{"code":"pe","name":"Professional/Editorial","scheme":"ContentSource"},{"code":"english","name":"English","scheme":"article_language"},{"code":"world","name":"World","scheme":"section_id"},{"code":"IAB23","name":"Religion & Spirituality","scheme":"iab-category"},{"code":"y","name":"Youtube","scheme":"videoSource"},{"code":"standard","name":"Standard","scheme":"articleType"}],"description_html":"

World leaders welcomed the election on Thursday of Robert Francis Prevost, who as Pope Leo XIV, becomes the first leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics from the United States.

'Great honor': World leaders welcome first US pope

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'Great honor': World leaders welcome first US pope

Agence France-Presse

Published May 09, 2025 08:32 AM PHT

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