Mattarella: may Pope Leo XIV's mission bring dialogue, justice and peace. Meloni: 'There is a desperate need for peace'. Messages from Trump, EU summits, Zelensky and Putin

For French President Emmanuel Macron it is a 'historic moment for the Catholic Church and its millions of faithful. To Pope Leo XIV, to all the Catholics of France and the world, I address a fraternal message. May this new pontificate be a bearer of peace and hope on this 8 May'.

The President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa, say: "Millions of Europeans draw inspiration daily from the Church's enduring commitment to peace, human dignity and mutual understanding between nations. We are confident that Pope Leo XIV will use his voice on the global stage to promote these shared values and encourage unity in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world. The EU stands ready to work closely with the Holy See to address global challenges and nurture a spirit of solidarity, respect and kindness".

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, wrote on social media: 'Habemus Papam. Welcome, Pope Leo XIV. May your leadership of the Catholic Church be a beacon of hope for all the faithful. And may your wisdom and strength continue to inspire the world as we work to build bridges, unity and peace'.

Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV also come from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Ukraine greatly appreciates the position the Holy See's consistent stance in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine and protecting the rights of innocent civilians," he wrote in a post on X. "At this decisive moment for our country, we trust in the Vatican's continued moral and spiritual support in Ukraine's work to restore justice and have a lasting peace. "I wish His Holiness Leo XIV wisdom, inspiration and strength, both spiritual and physical, in carrying out his noble mission. Ad multos annos!" he concludes.

The message from the Russian leader Vladimir Putin was not absent: 'I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,' reads the statement taken up by Tass.

"From the bottom of my heart, on behalf of the Polish nation and on my own personal behalf, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his election to the See of Rome," wrote Polish Prime Minister Andrzej Duda on X, stating that "this is a deeply moving moment for the community of the Catholic Church and for the entire world. In Poland, we are experiencing it with great emotion and hope, as a nation that, as St John Paul II reminded us, in the course of a thousand years of its history has been linked to the Church of Christ and the See of Rome by a special bond of spiritual unity'. Duda then addressed the new Pontiff directly: 'Please accept Poland's readiness to further strengthen these unique bonds, in the name of shared values, responsibility for the common good and the strengthening of peace in the world. May God guide Your Holiness on the path of this great mission'.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban relied on X: 'Habemus Papam! A new hope. God bless Pope Leo XIV,' he wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu congratulated Pope Leo XIV and the "world Catholic community" on the election of the new pontiff. "I wish the first US Pope success in promoting hope and reconciliation between all faiths," Netanyahu wrote in a post on X from the prime minister's office.

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, expressed the hope that Pope Leo XIV would "take up the legacy" of his predecessor Francis. "The main qualities of Francis were the tireless search for peace and social justice, the defence of the environment, dialogue with all peoples and religions and respect for diversity," Lula said in a post on X. The Brazilian president is currently on an official visit to Moscow.

Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova sent a congratulatory message to the new Pope Leo XIV. "I extend my most sincere congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as head of the Catholic Church and wish him success in the work of promoting global understanding, peace and harmony," reads President Siljanovska-Davkova's message. Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski also congratulated the new pontiff.

Serbian President Aleksabdar Vucic congratulated the new Pope Leo XIV, wishing to continue with him the good cooperation he had with Pope Francis. "I wish the new pope well, and I believe that we will equally have with him a good cooperation like the one we have had so far with Pope Francis," Vucic told journalists in Moscow, where he is staying for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi-fascism.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi congratulated Pope Leo XIV. "I wish His Holiness every success and prosperity in his blessed mission," he said in a note released in the evening. "I am fully confident that His Holiness will carry on the legacy of promoting peace and love, upholding noble values and ethics, and rejecting violence, hatred and war. I am happy that we will work together for a better world characterised by peace, development, stability, tolerance and mutual respect. With my best wishes for health, prosperity and success," he concluded.

The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart also sent a message of congratulations on the election of the new pontiff. "The family of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart expresses great joy for the election to the papal throne of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost and entrusts his mission as Universal Pastor of the Church to the care of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Athenaeum of Italian Catholics, with renewed enthusiasm, places itself at the service of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. May His Pontificate be a sign of hope in the world, of unity in the Church and of peace among nations'.

A crowd of priests and staff members at Chicago's Catholic Theological Union erupted in cheers of joy when Pope Leo IV stepped out onto the Vatican balcony, some four decades after graduating from South Side School. It was "an explosion of enthusiasm and applause that surged through the room.... many of us were simply in disbelief and could not even find the words to express our joy, our pride," said Sister Barbara Reid, dean of the theology faculty. The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is one of the largest Catholic theological graduate schools in the English-speaking world.

"All the best, including the Pope, comes from Chicago". Thus on X the Mayor of Chicago, hometown of Leo XIV, Brandon Johnson, with "congratulations to the first American Pontiff". "We hope to have her home again soon," he adds.