Archdiocese of Cincinnati, political leaders react to selection of first-ever American Pope
ByWHIO Staff
Vatican Conclave New Pope Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
ByWHIO Staff
DAYTON — Reactions are pouring in after Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was elected the new Pope. Prevost, who will serve under the papal name of Pope Leo XIV, is the first American Pope.
Robert G. Casey, Archbishop of Cincinnati, called the election of Pope Leo XIV a ‘unifying moment."
Habemus papam! We have a pope! Through prayerful discernment and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the Cardinals of our Church have chosen our new shepherd. This is a unifying moment in the life of the Church, reminding us of the Good Shepherd’s eternal care for His flock. Christ, who is yesterday, today, and forever, now places the care of this flock in the hands of Pope Leo XIV. With great joy and gratitude, I join the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in praying for our new Holy Father. May the Lord grant him wisdom, courage, and strength in carrying out his sacred ministry.
President Donald Trump congratulated Pope Leo XIV on social media and said he looked forward to meeting him.
Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. 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!
Vice President JD Vance also released a statement on social media congratulating Pope Leo XIV.
Congratulations to Leo XIV, the first American Pope, on his election! I’m sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians will pray for his successful work leading the Church. May God bless him!
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine were “joyous” over the selection.
Fran and I are joyous upon the selection today of our new Pope—Pope Leo the XIV. As a member of the Augustinian order, he has lived a life of service, building communities through the commandment of loving our neighbors. Through his work as a teacher and missionary, he has been committed to spreading the Gospel by helping the poor, migrants, and the least among us. His background as a parish priest and as a missionary tells us that he will be a Pope who will work hard to stay in touch with people of all backgrounds around the world.
— Governor Mike DeWine
Ohio Congressman Mike Turner also released a statement on the new Pope, congratulating the first American Pope.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his appointment to serve as the 267th Bishop of Rome – the first American pope in history.
Born in Chicago and shaped by years of missionary work serving the poorest among us in Peru, Pope Leo XIV brings a deep commitment to service and humility to the papacy.
As he begins this sacred mission, I join millions around the world in prayer for his strength, wisdom, and leadership. I look forward to watching Pope Leo XIV continue to champion the cause of the poor and most vulnerable, and to his efforts in advancing peace, compassion, and human dignity.
— Congressman Mike Turner
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Pope Leo XIV VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. White smoke was seen over the Vatican early this evening as the Conclave of Cardinals took just two days to elect the new Pontiff after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
Vatican Conclave New Pope Crowds cheer in St. Peter's square after the election of the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) (Gregorio Borgia/AP)
Vatican Conclave New Pope Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announces the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leone XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Bernat Armangue/AP)
Vatican Conclave New Pope People react after Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announced the election of Cardinal Robert F. Prevost as the 267th pope, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) (Luca Bruno/AP)
Vatican Conclave New Pope Cardinal Dominique Mamberti announces the election of the new pope, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (Andrew Medichini/AP)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope during their fourth vote on the second day of their secret conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: A crowd celebrates on a roof as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: White smoke rises from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel indicating that the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope during their fourth vote on the second day of their secret conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: Large crowds celebrate on St Peter's Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: Large crowds celebrate on St Peter's Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: Large crowds celebrate on St Peter's Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
Conclave selects new pope VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: Large crowds celebrate on St Peter's Square as they witness white smoke after a new pope is elected at the conclave on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Cardinals of the Catholic Church have descended on Vatican City to commence the papal conclave, the secretive voting process held in the Sistine Chapel that requires a two-thirds majority to elect the new leader of the Catholic Church. The election follows the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images) (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)
