World officials have congratulated Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, on his nomination and wished him the best.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Prevost was born in Chicago and spent significant time working as a minister in Peru, making him the first pope in history to be born in the United States.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance quickly welcomed Prevost to his new role with a post on social media.
Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) May 8, 2025
Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra and the rest of the country’s government also welcomed Prevost to his new role on X.
“The Peruvian people, a nation of faith and hope, join in prayer for his pontificate and celebrate with gratitude that a pastor who loved Peru now guides the universal Church.”
The congratulations also reached other portions of the world, with Argentinian President Javier Milei writing on social media that “THE FORCES OF HEAVEN HAVE GIVEN THEIR VERDICT CLEARLY.”
Similarly, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the announcement a “deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and around the world.”
“Pope Leo is the first American Pope. This is a momentous moment. 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,” wrote Starmer.
“I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the U.K. and internationally to advance our shared values and the common good.”
Many officials from the Lone Star State have also been commenting on the new pope, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott writing in a statement that he and his wife “join Catholics across the globe to pray for God’s guidance as Pope Leo XIV assumes leadership of the Catholic Church.”
Additionally, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in a statement sent to The Dallas Express that he hopes the pope’s “message of hope and divine love resonate throughout Texas and across the world.”
“As Pope Leo XIV steps onto the world stage, he does so at a time when we face profound challenges across the globe. His leadership brings a renewed opportunity for unity, compassion, and moral clarity. I pray that his voice will serve as a guiding light for all, especially for those who work the land, feed our families, and care for creation,” stated Miller.