Arab nations congratulate new pope, express hope for support in advancing peace

ISTANBUL

Arab leaders extended congratulations Thursday to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as pope, with many expressing hope that he will support efforts to promote peace both globally and in the region.

Prevost, who was born in Chicago, became the first American to assume the papacy. At 69 years old, he will carry the name Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time Leo has been used since the 19th century.

The newly elected pontiff appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first address.

Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, his deputy Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani sent separate congratulatory cables to Pope Leo on his election.

United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with Vice Presidents Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also sent separate messages congratulating the new pope.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also congratulated the pontiff in an official statement, expressing confidence that he “will carry forward the legacy of promoting peace and love, upholding noble values and ethics and rejecting violence, hatred and war.”

“I am pleased that we will work together for a better world marked by peace, development, stability, tolerance and mutual respect,” he added.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid offered his congratulations on X, saying: “Warmest congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church. We wish him success in his humanitarian mission to champion peace and promote peaceful coexistence among peoples worldwide.”

He also emphasized Iraq’s strong ties with the Vatican and commitment to strengthening cooperation to support peace, stability and coexistence.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun congratulated the Church and the world, expressing hope that the new pope would be granted “health, wisdom and success in spreading the message of peace and interfaith dialogue,” according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also posted on X to extend his congratulations, wishing the pope success in promoting openness, peace and human dignity.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, expressing “warmest wishes for success in continuing the efforts of the late Pope Francis to promote peace.”

He emphasized the historic friendship between Palestine and the Holy See, expressing a desire to strengthen these ties in pursuit of justice and peace worldwide.

Abbas also highlighted “the moral, religious and political role of the Vatican in supporting just causes -- foremost the Palestinian people's right to freedom and independence.”

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also issued a statement congratulating Pope Leo, expressing hope that he would “continue the path of the late Pope Francis in defending the oppressed and rejecting the genocide in Gaza.”

Hamas praised “the courageous humanitarian stances of the late pope and his solidarity with the Palestinian people” and called on the new pope to maintain this approach.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, sent warm congratulations to Pope Leo, saying: “We look forward to continuing our work with you to strengthen interfaith dialogue and promote the values of human fraternity, in pursuit of global peace, mutual coexistence and a better future.”

Al-Tayeb shared a close relationship with the late Pope Francis.

Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old cardinal who is originally from Chicago, Illinois, was elected Thursday as pope, making him the first American ever to ascend to the papacy.

He will take the name of Pope Leo XIV, marking the first time the name Leo has been used by a pope since the 19th century.