By Hank Russell
Just two days into the conclave, a group of cardinals finally elected a new pope. Many politicians shared their reactions and wished him luck, which, as news reports noted, he may need as he faces some challenges.
On May 8, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pope in the Catholic Church’s history. Prevost —- who took the name Pope Leo XIV — made history himself, becoming the first leader of the church to be from the United States. Leo succeeds Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.
His first words as pontiff as he greeted the faithful were “Peace be with all of you! … [E]neter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are.”
Prevost, who is from Chicago, moved to Peru in 1985, according to an article from NPR. After spending time as a missionary, he became bishop of Chiclayo, a city with a population of nearly 1.5 million people. According to CBS News, Pope Leo became a bishop in 2015, then cardinal in 2023. He previously headed the church’s Dicastery for Bishops, which oversaw the selection of new bishops.
Many elected officials went to social media to congratulate the new pope. On his TruthSocial page, President Donald Trump wrote, “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!”
“Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on becoming the first American Pope of the Catholic Church,” Attorney General Letitia James posted on X (formerly Twitter). “May God guide you as you lead the church and millions across our world.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also posted on X, “Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The prayers of millions of Catholics around the globe are with you to guide the church forward and be a strong champion for compassion and dignity.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Diocese of Rockville Centre for comment, but did not hear back as of press time.
Despite the accolades, Pope Leo’s new job doesn’t come without his problems. Sky News reported that the pontiff has to address the ongoing issue of sexual abuse by the clergy, whether women should be ordained as priests, inclusion of marginalized groups (especially those in the LGBTQ+ community) and the Vatican’s budget deficit.
Celeste Broyles, Nassau County’s vice chair of the Long Island Coalition for Life, a nonsectarian organization known for its opposition to abortion, which she calls “a human rights issue, regardless of one’s faith, or lack thereof.”
On the election of the new pope, Broyles said in a statement, “The LICL certainly hopes that the new pope will lead the way for all people of the world to bring the scourge of abortion to an end and restore the right to life and dignity of every child starting at fertilization and conception.”