The president of the United States, Donald Trump; his vice president JD Vance; former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama; the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker; and numerous officials from all over the country expressed joy and enthusiasm for the choice of the first American Pope, originally from Chicago.
Pope Leo XIV – before Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – was chosen by the Cardinal College in the Vatican this Thursday, on the second day of the conclave, as the immediate successor of Francisco, who died on April 21.
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This is the first Pope in the United States and North America. Francisco was the first Pontiff of South America.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been appointed Pope!” Trump wrote in its social social network. “It is a great honor to know that he is the first American Pope. What emotion and what a great honor for our country! I hope to meet Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!”
Vice President JD Vance, Conversion to Catholicismalso congratulated the new Pontiff in X: “I am sure that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for their work at the head of the Church. God bless it!”
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Catholic, also shared a congratulation message: “May God grant him wisdom, courage and grace in his sacred ministry.”
President Joe Biden, second Catholic ruler in the history of the United States, celebrated the news in X Together with his wife: “We have a pope – May God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois. Jill and I congratulate him and wish him success. ”
Pride in Chicago
The former president Barack Obama, who lived much of his adult life in Chicago, He issued a statement Together with his wife Michelle, congratulating “a citizen of Chicago, his holiness Pope Leo XIV.”
“It is a historic day for the United States and we will pray for him at the beginning of the sacred work of guiding the Catholic Church and giving example so many, regardless of their faith,” Obama said.
Pritzker, who has served as governor of Illinois since 2019, referred to the “first American at the head of the Catholic Church” as a “historical moment”, In a post of X.
“Originally from Chicago, Pope Leo XIV opens a new chapter that we receive in hope in times that require compassion, unity and peace,” he said.
Chicago mayor, Brandon Johnson, celebrated the news in X And he has already invited the Pope to visit his hometown. “Everything good, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!” He said. “Congratulations to the first American Pope, Leo XIV! We hope to welcome you soon at home.”
In his first message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged bridges through dialogue and encounter, working for unity and peace. He expressed his desire to “walk with you, as a united Church, always looking for peace and justice, always seeking to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.
Tyler Arnold
Tyler Arnold is a reporter of the National Catholic Register. He previously worked at The Center Square and has published in various media, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative and The Federalist.