Donald Trump has characterized the (hypothetical) election of Robert Prevost as the first Pope from the United States as "such an honor."

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has extended his congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost after his election as the first American-born pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, who has taken the papal name Leo XIV, was elected by the College of Cardinals in a secret ballot process earlier today. In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, "It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope." The president also expressed his eagerness to meet with the new pope, stating that he looks forward to doing so. However, it's worth noting that Leo XIV has not always held Trump and his administration in high esteem. In the past, he has been critical of the president's policies, including his stance on immigration and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these differences, Trump's congratulatory message suggests that he is willing to put aside any personal differences in the name of diplomacy and respect for the papacy. The election of an American-born pope is a historic event that has sent shockwaves around the world. Prevost, a 65-year-old American clergyman, has spent most of his life serving in the Catholic Church, including stints as the bishop of several dioceses in the United States. His election as pope marks a significant milestone in the long history of the Roman Catholic Church, and is likely to have far-reaching implications for the global Catholic community.