Trump calls the choice of the first American Pope a “great honor”

US President Donald Trump has described the election of the first American Pope Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, a “great honor” for the country and said he was looking forward to meeting him.

Trump is one of the many American political personalities who welcome the historical appointment of the 69-year-old Chicagoer native to the management of the Catholic Church.

“Having the Pope from America is a great honor,” said Trump later when he was asked for the reaction to the news.

Pope Leo was born in Chicago and visited the university outside of Philadelphia before becoming a missionary in Peru.

The United States has the fourth largest number of Catholics in the world, and congratulations flocked shortly after the first American Pope name was announced.

The Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, praised the Pope's election.

“I am sure that millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work that the Church has,” wrote Vance about X.

Former President Joe Biden, a pious Catholic who spoke about his warm relationship with Pope Francis, also congratulated.

“Habemus Papam – may God bless Pope Leo XIV of Illinois,” wrote Biden, the second Catholic President in US history, on social media.

Former President Barack Obama, who launched his political career in Chicago, wrote about X: “Michelle and I send our congratulations to another Chicagoer, his Holiness, Pope Leo XIV.”

“This is a historical day for the United States, and we will pray for him while he starts the holy work of the management of the Catholic Church and an example of so many, regardless of faith.”

Former President George Bush made an explanation and said that he and his wife Laura were “enthusiastic” by the news.

“This is a historical and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the believers around the world,” he said.

“We agree with those who prayed for the success of Pope Leo XIV while he is preparing to lead the Catholic Church, to serve the needy and share God's love.”

Mike Johnson, spokesman for the Republican House, also congratulated the new Pope and wrote on social media: “May God bless the first American papacy in these historical days.”

Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, a Catholic, has also expanded his congratulations.

“This is a moment of profound importance for the Catholic Church, which in the middle of the anniversary year 2025 offers over a billion loyal hope and continuity,” said Rubio.

“The United States are looking forward to deepening our permanent relationship with the Holy Chair to the first American Pope.”

As a cardinal, it seems that Prevost is not afraid to occasionally question the Trump government's views.

A report under his name has released a post on the social media platform X, which criticized the deportation of a US resident of El Salvador by the Trump administration, and shared a critical comment on a television interview that gave Vance to Fox News.

“JD vance is wrong: Jesus does not ask us to evaluate our love for others,” read the contribution and repeats the heading from the comment on the website of the National Catholic Reporter.

The BBC contacted the Vatican, but has not independently confirmed that the account belongs to the new papal dealer.

The Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, also offered congratulations in the hometown of Prevost.

“Everything that dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago! Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV! We hope to be able to greet her at home soon,” he wrote.

Illinois governor JB Pritzker called the moment “historically”.

“From Chicago, Pope Leo XIV comes in a new chapter in which I join them in our state, at a time when we need compassion, unity and peace,” he wrote on social media.