President Donald Trump has congratulated Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his historic election as the new Pope, calling it a proud and monumental moment for the United States.
In a post shared Thursday on his Truth Social platform, President Trump expressed joy over the development:
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has just been named Pope. It is such an honor to see an American ascend to the papacy. What excitement, and what a great honor for our country.”
He also shared his anticipation for an audience with the new leader of the Catholic Church, stating, “I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
The Vatican announced the election of Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday evening, following the traditional signal of white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, marking the end of the conclave.
The papal conclave, a private gathering of cardinals held under strict isolation, culminated in the selection of Prevost on its second day of voting.
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, a French-born prelate of Moroccan origin, officially declared from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica:
“I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope. The most eminent and reverend Robert Francis Prevost.”
Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, makes history as the first American to ascend to the papacy, leading more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
