White smoke raised in the air a little after 6 pm this Thursday, May 8: it is official, Catholics have their new pope. And it is the American Robert Prevost, who succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21, under the name of Léon XIV.
As soon as the bells of Saint-Pierre killed, it was those of the social networks of the world leaders who began to ring. The former are to be brought to the assets of Donald Trump, who left no one in number 1 at the time of congratulating his compatriot, the first American to access this function: “What excitement and what great honor for our country”he wrote on his Truth Social network, saying to himself «impatient» to meet the new head of the Catholic Church.
In the process, it was the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who addressed her pontifical congratulations, sending a wish: “May his pontificate help to strengthen dialogue and defense of human rights in a world that needs hope and unity.” His German counterpart, all fresh elected Friedrich Merz, also went there from his message, more reserved: “By your function, you give hope and orientation to millions of believers around the world in these difficult times”he said.
On the evening of the 80th anniversary of the armistice, Emmanuel Macron for his part pleaded for a “New pontificate carrying peace and hope”sending a “Fraternal message” to the new pope and “To all Catholics in France and the world”. The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, wished the pope “May his pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, while he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world by his commitment to peace and dialogue”.
More political, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked for moral support from the new Vatican chief in the conflict between Russia. “Ukraine deeply appreciates the constant position of the Holy See in favor of respect for international law, by condemning the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and by protecting the rights of innocent civilians”.
-Equally political, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wished the new Pope Leon XIV in the evening to continue “Peace efforts” From his predecessor François, according to an official press release. Abbas addressed “His best wishes for success at Pope Leo XIV in the pursuit of his noble task and the maintenance of the inheritance of the late Pope Francis […]». He insisted “On the importance of the moral, religious and political role of the Holy See in the defense of the right causes, at the forefront of which that of the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and independence”, Add the text.
At the time of welcoming this choice, the pedigree of Léon XIV, support of François, faithful of the theology of the Liberation and who lived several years in Peru to the point of obtaining its nationality, did not escape certain officials. Thus of the Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who noted a “Humanist convergence” with Léon XIV and Portuguese President Luis Montenegro, for whom “This choice has a political meaning, a social meaning, and I hope it will now materialize by a pontificate marked by a positive action, regardless of the beliefs of all those who profess other times”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro joins them, seeing in Leon XIV “More than an American”. “I hope he will be the great leader of migrant peoples in the world and that he will encourage our Latin American migrant brothers, now humiliated in the United States”, added the manager In reference to the multiple expulsions of migrants by the Trump administration.
An analysis that the rebellious leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, close to the South American left, shared in his own way: “An American not Trumpist with a French name who speaks Spanish and begins with the word peace. Friendly thought for Christians. “
Update This Friday, May 9 at 7:20 am with the reaction of the President of the Palestinian Authority.
