U.S. President Donald Trump offers congrats to new American pope

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Donald Trump has given a thumbs-up to the new pope.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” the U.S. President posted on his Truth Social app as the new pope was named on Thursday afternoon. “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!”

Prevost, 69, who took the name Leo XIV, is a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops. He hails from Chicago.

He was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Political figures around the world have begun congratulating the successor to Pope Francis.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, who attended Francis’ funeral, offered his “heartfelt congratulations” to the new pope on X.

“This is a deeply moving moment for the community of the Catholic Church and for the whole world,” he said.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped the two could work together amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians,” he said on X. “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.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her “most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate,” adding that “in a time marked by conflict and unrest,” the new pope shared a “powerful call for peace, brotherhood and responsibility” when speaking from the balcony.”

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin shared a statement on X.

“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,” he said. “I hope that this ground swell 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.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Prevost’s election “a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally” in a statement posted on X. He said Prevost being the first American Pope was “momentous.”

“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,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the day “a historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful” in a post on X.

“To Pope Leo XIV, and to all Catholics in France and around the world, I extend a message of fraternity,” Macron said. “May this new Pontificate be one of peace and hope.”

On a lighter note, social media users were quick to lean into the Chicago angle with one user particularly quick out of the gate with a gem.

“From now on, all communion wafers shall be deep dish,” the commenter quipped.

Chicago is well-known as the birthplace of deep-dish pizza.

Sports fans in the Windy City also wasted little time getting in on the reaction.

“Need to know if he’ll be a Cubs Pope or a White Sox pope,” an X user said while another suggested a new item be offered at the White Sox stadium.

“In honor of Chicago’s own Pope Leo XIV, the White Sox announce the new “White Smoke Shake” that will be served in a commemorative pope hat.”