Trump reacts to emergence of new pope

United States President, Donald Trump, has reacted to the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new leader of the Catholic Church, praising the appointment of the first-ever American pope.

After the Vatican confirmed on Thursday, May 8, that Chicago-born Cardinal Prevost had been selected by a two-thirds majority vote of the papal conclave, Trump expressed his support via a message on Truth Social.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump wrote. “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 chose the papal name Leo XIV and made his first appearance as pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after the traditional white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel—signaling the successful conclusion of the conclave.

“Peace be with you,” he told the crowd gathered in Vatican City.

The 69-year-old new pontiff, originally from Chicago, began his religious vocation in the U.S. before spending years in Peru, where he also gained citizenship. In 2023, he was appointed president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In the days leading up to the conclave, Trump had made light-hearted comments about the selection process, joking, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” following Pope Francis’ death on April 21.

Later, he appeared more reflective, suggesting he favored an American candidate—though not specifically Prevost. He also shared an AI image of himself on Pope’s attire.

“I must say we have a cardinal who happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good,” he said on April 29, seemingly referring to Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Dolan, a known Trump ally who gave the invocation at the president’s second inauguration, led the funeral mass for Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on April 26.