Barack Obama Sends Personal Message to Pope Leo XIV

The Catholic church made history on Thursday with the election of its 267th leader. For the first time in history, the pope is an American.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, emerged from the Vatican after two days of deliberation among cardinals. He greeted a massive crowd of spectators below, blessing them and offering the first words of his papacy.

Another Chicagoan offered kind words to the new pope on Thursday, as former President Barack Obama sent a message on social media.

"Michelle and I send our congratulations to a fellow Chicagoan, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV," the former president said on X.

"This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith."

During his opening address, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the church's need to collaborate and exist as a welcoming space for all.

"We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love," he said at the Vatican on Thursday.

Leo XIV attended Villanova University, earning a Bachelor's degree in mathematics from one of the nation's most well-regarded Catholic institutions. He would go on to spend over two decades in Peru, assuming various roles and becoming a naturalized citizen.

He replaces Pope Francis, who was the first non-European pope to hold the role in more than 1,000 years. Francis died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, and his successor has been named after weeks of respectful mourning.

"Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church," Leo XIV said on Thursday, acknowledging those who came before him and those who elected him to his current position.

We'll see what the future holds for Leo XIV, but it's clear that today is an exciting and historic day for Americans.