The Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, positively welcomed the election of the new pope Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the name of Léon XIV, after a two -day conclave.
“The white smoke which rises above the Sistine Chapel marks the beginning of a new papal reign-a moment of renewal, hope and unity for more than a billion faithful in the world,” he wrote in a declaration.
Carney assured that the country was delighted “at the idea of collaborating with His Holiness in order to build a world based on solidarity, justice and resilience”.
He wanted the pontificate of Leon XIV to be “marked by wisdom, discernment, a deep attachment to the common good and dignity for all” at this time crossed by several international crises.
The conservative chief Pierre Poilievre congratulated the cardinal Robert Francis Prevost in a declaration on the social network X, adding that “this day is an opportunity to recognize the role played by the Catholic community in the development of [l’expérience] common Canadian ”.
In Quebec, Prime Minister François praised the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying that it was a “significant moment for Catholics from here and elsewhere”.
“Quebec retains a particular bond with its Catholic heritage, which has deeply marked our history,” he said in a publication on X.
The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Canada also reacted, who said he was impatient to work with the new Pope.
Bishop William McGrattan told the journalists present in a church in Edmonton having met the new Pope a few times.
He claims that the new pontiff is a sensitive, reserved and humble person, who listens before speaking.
Aged 69, he is the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church and Mgr McGrattan believes that his appointment is prophetic.
He claims that America is confronted with social problems that have global repercussions and hopes that the Americans will be open to the “voice of truth” of the new sovereign pontiff.
Robert Francis Prevost is a missionary born in Chicago who devoted his career to exercise his functions in Peru.
