Congratulatory messages for Pope Leo XIV are pouring in from around the world.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, said the country “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.”
Zelenskyy added Ukraine hopes for “the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Pope Leo XIV’s election a “deeply profound moment of joy” in a post on social media.
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“As Pope Francis’ papacy showed, the Holy See has a special role to play in bringing people and nations together to address the major issues of our time,” Starmer said, pointing to climate change, poverty and world peace and justice.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated the pope as a “fellow Chicagoan.”
“This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith,” Obama said in a post on X.
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Elissa Mendes is a breaking news reporter, working out of
the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: emendes@thestar.ca
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