President Ruto congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his election

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd at St Peter's Basilica. [Tiziana Fabi, AFP]

President William Ruto has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV following his election as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

In a message posted on his X platform, President Ruto expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV's papacy would serve as a beacon of love, hope, and compassion. He called on the new pontiff to uplift the poor, give voice to the voiceless, heal global divisions, and promote peace, justice, and the sanctity of human dignity.

Congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on your election as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

May your papacy be a shining light of love, hope, and compassion; may it uplift the poor, give voice to the voiceless, heal divisions, and steadfastly champion peace,... pic.twitter.com/oqdGlAfRMq - William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 8, 2025

"May your leadership inspire faith, unity, and moral renewal across the world-today and for generations to come," the President said.

Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States, picking the papal name Leo XIV after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

White smoke from the Sistine Chapel had billowed into the sky on the cardinals' second day of voting to announce his election in a secret conclave, while the bells of St Peter's Basilica and churches across Rome rang out.