Mixed reactions to election of Pope Leo XIV

FRANCE 24 English

Reactions from across the world have been flooding in after Pope Leo XIV's election. While some have hailed the outcome of the conclave, others have taken a more critical stance. Charlotte Hughes takes a look at what the faithful, internet users and political leaders have been saying.   Visit our website: http://www.france24.com  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en

Transcript

00:00Next, Charlotte Hughes is back in studio with us with a look at how people around the world have

00:04been reacting to the election of the new Pope. Charlotte, what is the overall view?

00:11That's right, Sharon. Many reactions pouring in from across the world, ranging from joy to

00:17discontent. Now, I'd like to start with this picture, which I think captures the mood in

00:24St. Peter's Square. As you can see, lots of smiles. Someone here appears to be

00:29punching the air with joy. And of course, Pope Leo emerged to crowds to rapturous applause,

00:37as you can see in this video here. So the mood in St. Peter's Square, very joyous, and people

00:46appear to be welcoming the news. And another person, of course, who is welcoming this development

00:52is U.S. President Donald Trump, given that Leo is, of course, the first ever U.S. Pope to be elected

01:00to that role. Trump here on social media describing Leo's election as an honor, an honor for America,

01:09and he's looking forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. Sticking with the U.S., many internet users

01:18hailing from America also rejoicing at this news. We've got one user here congratulating the Pope,

01:28describing it as a monumental event and a triumph for America. We've also got another user in a similar

01:35vein, describing this as a moment they view as America becoming truly great again and a great

01:45achievement by an American. Now, elsewhere in the world, we have a string of leaders also voicing

01:53their congratulations to Leo. Among them, we've got Ursula von der Leyen. We've also got the president

02:01of Poland, Poland being a country where, of course, around 70% of the population is Catholic. And another

02:08reaction I took a look at was that of Volodymyr Zelensky, who took to X, calling this election coming

02:18at a moment that is, he says, a decisive moment for Ukraine, and he hopes for the continued moral

02:25and spiritual support of the Vatican in seeking peace for Ukraine. Peace, of course, being a word

02:32which was mentioned by Pope Leo numerous times throughout his speech. A lot of positive reaction

02:39then, as you say, Charlotte, but not everyone is happy. That's absolutely right, Sharon. Not everyone

02:45is happy. And among these people who have voiced their discontent with the outcome of the conclave

02:52are actually some people from the US. So we've got one internet user here describing the new pope as

03:00anti-MAGA woke, and I quote, a total disappointment. We also have another user here. We've got Laura

03:08Loomer, who is a prominent MAGA influencer, and she is describing Pope Leo as another or open borders

03:17Pope, of course, referring to Pope Leo's stance on migrants. Now, this is a stance which is very much

03:23in line with that of the late Pope Francis, who throughout his papacy did advocate for migrants.

03:31It is worth saying, though, that whilst this stance has drawn criticism from some, there are others

03:38who are welcoming this stance from Pope Leo. Among them is the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro,

03:46who took to social media, who took to social media, and he voiced his hopes that the new pope becomes a

03:52great leader for migrant people around the world. I quote, I hope he encourages our Latin American

03:57migrant brothers and sisters. Now, in terms of where the new pontiff stands on other issues,

04:06there are some users who have taken to social media to accuse Leo of being anti-LGBT.

04:13Now, what I can tell you about Leo's stance towards the LGBTQ community, according to the New York

04:22Times in 2012, he criticised media that expressed, I quote, sympathy for beliefs and practices that are

04:30at odds with the gospel, including, quote, the homosexual lifestyle. So, yes, users on social media

04:38are quick to denounce these statements. Leo is definitely sure to be watched closely by LGBT

04:44people around the world in the coming weeks to see exactly what his current stance is towards the

04:50community. Well, a mixed reaction, as you say there, when it comes to how people around the world

04:55are viewing and reacting to the election of this new pope. Charlotte, you, is there.

Category

Transcript

Recommended