• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Donald Trump reacts to Cardinal Robert Prevost being announced as the first American pope

Home> News> World News

Updated 10:30 9 May 2025 GMT+1Published 18:38 8 May 2025 GMT+1

Donald Trump reacts to Cardinal Robert Prevost being announced as the first American pope

Donald Trump has reacted to the election of Pope Leo XIV

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

Donald Trump has reacted to the historic election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the first American pope on social media.

The election of Cardinal Prevost - now Pope Leo XIV - was confirmed earlier today (8 May) after white smoke was seen erupting from the chimney of the Vatican City's Sistine Chapel. The papal conclave officially began on 7 May, with black smoke erupting from the chimney several times before the cardinals elected Pope Leo XIV.

The newly elected pontiff appeared on the balcony for the first time in his new robes shortly after the announcement and delivered a speech to cheering crowds gathered to mark the moment.

He uttered his first words to the crowds after appearing on the balcony at of St. Peter's Basilica, which included the phrase 'Peace be with all you'.

Advert

Pope Leo XIV (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Pope Leo XIV takes over the role as head of the Catholic church from Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday after spending several months battling illness.

His election marks a historic moment for US, as the 69-year-old is now the first ever American to assume the position.

Keen to cash in on the moment was President Trump, who wasted no time in referring to the election of Pope Leo XIV as a 'great honour' for America.

"Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope," he wrote his Truth Social platform.

Advert

"What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"

President Trump previously attracted controversy during following the death of Pope Francis after he shared an AI generated image of himself as the pope, complete with a cross necklace and mitre hat — an image which was branded 'extremely disrespectful' and 'blasphemous'.

Donald Trump has called the election of Pope Leo XIV an 'honour' (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Donald Trump has called the election of Pope Leo XIV an 'honour' (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Who is Cardinal Robert Prevost aka Pope Leo XIV?

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, Pope Leo XIV has spent much of his life abroad, serving as the Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru from 2015 to 2023 as well as the Order of Saint Augustine from 2001 to 2013.

Advert

He first travelled to Peru in 1985 after joining the Order of St. Augustine and has spent around two decades living in the country. According to The New York Times, he is also a naturalised citizen of the South American country.

Featured Image Credit: (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Topics: Pope Leo

Brenna Cooper
Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper is a journalist at LADbible. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History, followed by an NCTJ accredited masters in Journalism. She began her career as a freelance writer for Digital Spy, where she wrote about all things TV, film and showbiz. Her favourite topics to cover are music, travel and any bizarre pop culture.

X

@_brencoco

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Elon Musk urges release of Epstein files weeks after accusing Trump of being involved in fiery X rant

    Musk made a bombshell claim about his former 'first buddy'

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Arne Slot releases emotional statement after Diogo Jota tragically dies aged 28

    The Liverpool forward and his brother died this morning

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Mum says picture of her son at nursery saved his life after camera flash revealed rare disease

    Laura Davies, from Wales, says she would have 'never known' without the photo

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Brit, 29, who fell ill moments after getting tattoo on hen do fighting for life in coma

    Poppy-Mae Crutchley began to feel unwell 'instantly' after she got the inking in the Spanish party hotspot

    News
  • Cardinal Robert Prevost has been announced as the new pope in historic moment
  • Huge question about Pope Leo XIV answered as he's elected as first North American Pope
  • Everything we know about Cardinal Robert Prevost as he makes history being the first American pope
  • Why newly elected Pope Leo XIV won't receive a salary as Vatican rules explained