Obama congratulates newly elected Pope Leo XIV on social media
On social media platform X, Obama expressed joy that the 267th pope is from Chicago, making him the first American to be elected to the position.
Newly elected Pope Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV, (L) arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on 8 May 2025. Picture: Andrej ISAKOVIC/AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Former United States (US) President Barack Obama has taken to social media to congratulate newly elected Pope Leo the 14th.
On social media platform X, Obama expressed joy that the 267th pope is from Chicago, making him the first American to be elected to the position.
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In the post he said, “We will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example to many.”
The election process began on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday, where 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost was elected at the Sistine Chapel and tens of thousands of people celebrated at St Peters Square.
While he spent many years as a bishop in Peru, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
He takes over the reins from Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age 88.
ACTIONSA WEIGHS IN
ActionSA has congratulated the global Catholic community following the election of Pope Leo.
The party’s Matthew George said ActionSA hopes the new pontiff will honour the legacy of his predecessor.
“ActionSA stands in support of efforts that bring people together in service of a more humane and united world and accordingly hopes that [under] the leadership of Pope Leo, the Catholic Church continues to play a vital role in promoting compassion, justice and peace.”