From Wildcats to the White House: Social media celebrates Pope Leo XIV

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Cardinal Robert Prevost officially became the first person from the United States to become the Roman Catholic Church’s pope, prompting celebration across social media among U.S. residents.

Prevost will go by the title Pope Leo XIV, with his appointment coming approximately a day after the conclave started on Wednesday. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Prevost’s historic appointment has been widely recognized on social platforms like X right after his name was revealed.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, left, and an American flag displayed at the Vatican, right. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Prevost is a graduate of Villanova University. The school known as the ‘wildcats’ posted a congratulatory statement after the announcement.

“Today, we joyously celebrate the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, a moment of profound significance for the global Church. A Villanova alumnus, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States and the first Augustinian friar to be elected.”

President Donald Trump posted his reaction on Truth Social moments after the announcement was made.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump wrote. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

“Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election!” Vice President JD Vance wrote. “I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!”

“The first-ever American pope, Prevost served most recently as the head of the Church’s Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America,” Catholic Bishop Robert Barron wrote on X. “Please join me in praying for Pope Leo!”

“With profound gratitude to Almighty God, I join the universal Church in thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV,” Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge wrote. “As the Bishop of Rome and Successor of Saint Peter, our Holy Father is for the entire world the visible principle of Christian unity. I encourage everyone in our families, parishes and schools to offer prayers, sacrifices and works of charity for Pope Leo XIV and his intentions.”

“First American Pope!” The Washington Examiner’s Salena Zito wrote on X. “Born in Chicago! Pope Leo XIV.”

“Blessings to Pope Leo XIV, our first American Pope, on his selection to serve as the Bishop of Rome,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) wrote. “May he receive guidance from Jesus Christ our Lord and inspire the global community of Catholics and all people by sharing the message of God’s unconditional love.”

“Congratulations to the first American pope, Robert Francis Prevost,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wrote.

“THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS AMAZING!!!!” Meghan McCain wrote, adding multiple U.S. flag emojis to her post.

POPE LEO XIV: CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST BECOMES FIRST-EVER AMERICAN PONTIFF

Prevost’s appointment as the new pope comes less than a month after the end of Pope Francis‘s decade-plus leadership, which ended after he died just after Easter Sunday this year. The first words of the new pope were “peace be with you,” before offering a message of peace and dialogue “without fear.”

Prior to becoming head of the Catholic Church, Prevost had spent years as a missionary, later serving as archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru.

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