World leaders congratulate Pope Leo XIV who opened pontificate with call for peace

Pope Leo XIV's pontificate appears to be one of peace and hope, as he called for a 'disarming and disarmed peace' in his opening address.

Shortly after making his first appearance on the Vatican balcony on Thursday, leaders around the world sent messages of congratulations to the new pope, 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, who chose the papal name Leo XIV. Prevost, a Chicago native but also a Peruvian citizen, is the first US citizen to hold the position of head of the Roman Catholic Church. There had long been a taboo against a US pope, given the country's geopolitical heft in the secular sphere. US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he looks forward to meeting the new pontiff, and said it is "an honor to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country."Vice President JD Vance is sure "millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church," he wrote in a post on X. A pontificate of peacePope Leo's pontificate seems to be cantered around the theme of peace, in his first public address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, he described it as “disarming and humble and preserving peace, coming from God.”"I would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you," the pontiff added. This sentiment was mirrored in many of the congratulatory messages from world leaders.French President Emmanuel Macron called the pope's election a "historic moment" and hoped "this new pontificate be one of peace and hope." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called it a "momentous moment," and said the Holy See "has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address major issues of our time." "This is a deeply moving moment," Poland's President Andrzej Duda said. "In Poland, we experience it with great emotion and hope." A time of conflict and unrestGreek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated the new pope and said his leadership comes at a time when the "world faces profound challenges but also great opportunities for unity, compassion, and dialogue among peoples and faiths."And Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hoped the pontificate could strengthen "dialogue and the defense of human rights.""In a time marked by conflicts and unrest, his words from the Loggia of Blessings are a powerful call for peace, fraternity, and responsibility," Italy's President Giorgia Meloni wrote.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and said he hoped for the "continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine's efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.""Ukraine deeply values the Holy See's consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians," he added.A disarmed and disarming peacePresident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wishes that Pope Leo XIV's "pontificate be guided by wisdom and strength, as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue." And António Costa, the President of the European Council, said that "in times of division and uncertainty, his spiritual leadership can help inspire unity, compassion, and peace."When asked how he interpreted the pontiff's message of a "disarmed and disarming peace," Costa told Euronews that the message was a "moral" one, but admitted that "in this ideal world, we wouldn't need weapons, because we wouldn't have threats." "Unfortunately, in real life, there are threats. We need to defend ourselves. And what we've learned is that peace without defence is an illusion," he added.Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said the world "is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity & compassion," and added that the UN looks forward to work together with the Holy See "to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation & build a just and sustainable world for all."