Political figures around the world have congratulated Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, after his election on Thursday, May 8, as Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Hailing from Chicago and a dual U.

The sanctuary is run by the religious of the Order of St. Augustine and “houses an ancient image of the Virgin, dear to the order and to the memory of Leo XIII.”

Pope Leo XIV committed to strengthening ties between the Catholic Church and Jews in a message to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, following his election at the conclave last week, the Italian capital's Jewish community said in a statement on Tuesday.

A Newsmax reporter had asked the question of Pope Leo at the pontiff's audience with journalists in the Vatican on Monday. Leo is the first-ever pope born in the U.S. His comments on social media around immigration in particular have caught attention, and raise the possibility future clashes with the Trump Administration.

Pope Leo XIV called for peaceful communication and thanked journalists worldwide for sharing stories illuminating truth, humanity, and hope.

Pope Leo also celebrated Mother’s Day as jubilee bands and thousands of pilgrims created a festive atmosphere in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday.

The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first American pope and is seen as a diplomat in the church. "This is the first greeting of the risen Christ. May the peace be with you," Leo said in Italian in his first remarks as pope.