The first to have congratulated the new pope is the American president. Donald Trump sent a word to his compatriot. “”What excitement and what great honor for our country “he added on its social social network, saying to itself “impatient” to meet the new head of the Catholic Church.
But international reactions are linked, from Europe to Latin America where Pope Francis was from, thanked many times by his successor.
The conflict in Ukraine in the background
The reaction of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was eagerly awaited. During the funeral of Pope Francis, he had been able to meet with Donald Trump.
This Thursday, he congratulated the new Pope Leon XIV on Thursday, hoping that the Vatican will continue to support “Morally and spiritually” Kiev pour “Restore justice and achieve lasting peace” With Moscow.
“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”added Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message published on X.
For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated the new Pope Leo XIV, of American origin, saying that is certain that constructive cooperation will continue between Moscow and the Vatican.
“I am sure that the constructive dialogue and the interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values which unite us”said Vladimir Putin, in a congratulations message published by the Kremlin.
In Belgium
In Belgium, Prime Minister Bart de Wever wished Pope Leon XIV “a lot of wisdom and strength“, in a brief message posted Thursday evening in English and Latin on the networks.
-“Good to make sure you will have a praise of that” (“Do good and you will receive praise) concluded the head of federal government.
Bishop Luc Terlinden, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels and president of the Belgian Episcopal conference, wanted to congratulate “warmly“On behalf of the Belgian Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, on the occasion of his election as 267th Pope, said the episcopal conference Thursday evening in a press release.
“The new pope has a very rich and diversified experience“, Underlines the press release. The new pope was indeed superior of the Order of the Augustins, bishop in South America and prefect of the powerful Dicaster of the Bishops.
Grace action celebrations will also be organized in the coming days in all the dioceses of the country. This will be the case in the Saint-Rombaut cathedral in Malines on Sunday May 11 at 10.30 am and in the Cathedral Saints-Michel-et-Gudule in Brussels on Monday May 12 at 7 pm. These two ceremonies will be chaired by Mgr Terlinden.
The new pontiff is also not an unknown for the Belgian bishops, recalls the press release, because they had the opportunity to meet him during the trip of Pope Francis in Belgium last September.
For his part, the executive of the Muslims of Belgium (EMB) welcomes “with respect and hope” the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, said the religious body Thursday evening in a press release.
“In a world marked by conflicts, divisions and human suffering, we see in this new pope a possible craftsman of peace and a bridge builder”adds the embellishment. “We hope and pray that Pope Leo XIV will help put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, stop war in Ukraine, appease tensions between Pakistan and India and promote interreligious dialogue, mutual respect and global solidarity”.
EMB says he believes, “As Muslims, in the strength of peace, justice and cooperation between religions. We wish Pope Leo XIV Wisdom, Force and a Heart filled with compassion in his new mission. White smoke has come – that it is a sign of downward peace”, concludes the religious body.
