US President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, calling it a “great honor” for the United States.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
“I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a prominent conservative Catholic, also issued a statement saying the United States “looks forward to building a productive relationship” with the new pope.
Speaking to reporters later outside the West Wing, Trump praised the new pontiff, who hails from Chicago: “To have the pope from America, that’s a great honor. What greater honor could there be? We’re a little bit surprised but very happy.”
He added that Vatican officials had already reached out to the U.S. about arranging a meeting, saying, “We’ll see what happens.”
