Ramaphosa welcomes election of Pope Leo XIV
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected as Pope Leo XIV — the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Prevost is the first-ever pope from the United States.
Cardinals from across the globe convened in Vatican City and, after a two-day conclave, selected the 69-year-old Chicago native to succeed the late Pope Francis.
He is now leading the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers worldwide.
“The election of Pope Leo XIV is a profound moment for the Catholic Church as well as the global community who followed this solemn event with hopeful anticipation,” said Ramaphosa.
The election of Pope Leo XIV is a profound moment for the Catholic Church as well as the global community who followed this solemn event with hopeful anticipation.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 8, 2025
May the ceremonial white smoke that signalled the consensus of the Conclave prevail over the dark plumes of… pic.twitter.com/rH7uVzxK6j
The traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel's chimney on Thursday evening signalled the election of a new pope and prompted cheers from tens of thousands who gathered in St Peter’s Square.
Moments later, Pope Leo XIV made his first appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, delivering a message of unity and peace.
"To all people, wherever they are, to all peoples, to the whole Earth, peace be with you,” said the new pope, who also spent more than two decades serving in Peru.
About 80 percent of the cardinals who voted were appointed by Pope Francis, making this one of the most internationally diverse conclaves in history.
Voting members came from 70 countries.
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