Trump Congratulates Pope Leo Xiv, Calls His Election 'a Great Honor' For The United States

President Donald Trump congratulated nan caller Pope Leo XIV aft he was selected Thursday, noting it is "a awesome honor" for nan United States that an American-born Cardinal was selected to beryllium Francis' successor. 

"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was conscionable named Pope. It is specified an grant to recognize that he is nan first American Pope," Trump said connected his Truth Social level soon aft achromatic fume emerged from nan Vatican indicating nan conclave had travel to a determination connected who will lead nan Catholic Church. 

"It is specified an grant to recognize that he is nan first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look guardant to gathering Pope Leo XIV. It will beryllium a very meaningful moment!"

PAPAL CONCLAVE: EVENTUAL NEW POPE'S CHOSEN NAME MAY SIGNAL WHAT'S AHEAD

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XVI, (LEFT) and President Donald Trump (RIGHT) (GETTY IMAGES/FOX NEWS)

Trump added to reporters astatine nan White House that he was "a small spot surprised" by nan action of Cardinal Prevost, but reiterated aggregate clip what an grant nan action was for America. 

"What greater grant could location be?" Trump posited to reporters. He besides told them that nan management has already been successful touch pinch nan Vatican and expects to person nan president sojourn nan caller pope successful nan future. It was not made clear really soon that gathering mightiness return place.

Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic convert, besides congratulated nan caller Pope connected his action Thursday arsenic well. 

NY BISHOP SAYS POPE LEO XIV'S BACKGROUND WILL BE ‘INCREDIBLY BENEFICIAL’

"Congratulations to Leo XIV, nan first American Pope, connected his election!" Vance said connected X. "I’m judge millions of American Catholics and different Christians will believe for his successful activity starring nan Church. May God bless him!"

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of nan United States appears connected nan pavilion of St. Peter's Basilica, astatine nan Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Remo Casilli/Reuters)

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Cardinal Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was calved successful Chicago and anterior to his papal assignment he served arsenic nan prefect of nan Dicastery for Bishops nether Pope Francis, which advises nan pope connected bishop appointments crossed nan globe. In summation to Prevost, New York City Cardinal Timothy Dolan was besides floated arsenic a imaginable successor to Francis. 

In his first reside to congregants, Pope Leo XIV called connected Catholics to unrecorded arsenic missionaries and stressed that he hopes to beryllium a builder of bid during his papacy. The caller Pope besides asked Catholics to assistance him successful bringing bid to "all peoples," and participating successful speech and "building bridges."

Fox News' Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.