8 May 2025
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV – born
Robert Francis Prevost – is the first person from the
United States to lead the Catholic Church, although he also
holds Peruvian citizenship after working in the Latin
American country for many years.
He was selected by
cardinals voting at the Vatican and later greeted thousands
gathered in St. Peter’s Square with a message of
peace.
Strong voices needed
Mr. Guterres
extended heartfeltcongratulationstothe new pontiff
and Roman Catholics everywhere.
“The
election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual
significance for millions of faithful around the world, and
it comes at a time of great global challenges,”
he said.
“Our
world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social
justice, human dignity and compassion.”
Building on
the legacy
The Secretary-General said
he looks forward to building on the long legacy of
cooperation between the UN and the Holy See – nurtured
most recently by the late Pope Francis – to advance
solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and
sustainable world for all.
“It is
rooted in the first words of Pope Leo,” he noted.
“Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and
beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal:May peace
be with all the world.”
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Pope Leo, 69, was
born and grew up in the midwestern city of Chicago and spent
years working as a missionary in Peru, before becoming a
bishop and then rising to head the international Order of
St. Augustine.
He became a cardinal in 2023 and went
on to run the Vatican office that selects and manages
Catholic bishops worldwide.
He succeeds Pope Francis –
the first Pope from Latin America – who died in April after
serving for 12 years.
Following his death, the UN
Secretary-General recalled that “Pope Francis was a
transcendent voice for peace, human dignity and social
justice” who “leaves behind a legacy of faith, service
and compassion for all — especially those left on the
margins of life or trapped by the horrors of
conflict.”
