President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in front of the West Wing of the White House, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump spoke warmly Thursday of the American-born missionary named the new pope.
“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,” he posted on Truth Social. “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!”
who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. He took the name Leo XIV.
Prevost had to overcome the taboo against a U.S. pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the United States in the secular sphere.
Trump spoke to reporters outside the West Wing, saying that for the new pope to be American, “What greater honor can there be?”
“We’re a little bit surprised and we’re happy,” Trump added.
Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
People react after Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Luca Bruno/AP)
The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. (Dan Kitwood/Getty)
The newly elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The conclave of cardinals took just two days to elect the new pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. (Antonio Masiello/Getty)
Faithful celebrate after white smoke appeared on May 8, 2025, from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, where 133 cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)
Crowds gathered around St. Peter's Square react on May 8, 2025, as white smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the conclave of cardinals had elected a new pope. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
White smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025,, where cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Crowds cheer in St. Peter's Square after the election of the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
Clerics celebrate after white smoke appeared on May 8, 2025, from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. (Francisco Seco/AP)
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 8, 2025, after his election. (Luca Bruno/AP)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, center, attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia/Getty)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, leads the recitation of the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis' health in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on March 3, 2025. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)
Newly named Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, right, receives his biretta from Pope Francis as he is elevated in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sept. 30, 2023. (Riccardo De Luca/AP)
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attends the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia/Getty)
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost attend the fifth Novemdiales Mass held for the late Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica on April 30, 2025. (Antonio Masiello/Getty)
Nuns from Mexico gather at St. Peter's Basilica on May 8, 2025, waiting for smoke to billow from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals gathered on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to late Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
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Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
