President: May Holy Father Leo XIV Be Force for Good and Authority for World

Bratislava, May 8 (TASR) - I congratulate all those who can today proclaim "Habemus papam" and who, along with me, sincerely rejoice at the election of the new pope, stated President Peter Pellegrini in response to Thursday's election of the new pope, extending his heartfelt wishes to Pope Leo XIV. "I also congratulate the Holy Father and wholeheartedly wish him a great deal of health, courage, strength and God's blessing. May he be a force for good and an authority for the entire world," added he. "I believe that during his pontificate we'll continue to maintain excellent relations between Slovakia and the Vatican, and that the hopes of the poor, the sick, the weak and the oppressed around the world will rightly turn to the head of the Catholic Church. May God help the Holy Father in his demanding mission, and may all Slovak believers rejoice in him," the president declared. Pellegrini also recalled that the predecessor of Leo XIV, Pope Francis, was a strong voice for peace and a protector of the poor. "He represented conscience and moral authority not only for the Catholic Church but for all people who seek goodness in their lives. In today's uncertain and turbulent times, we need more urgently than ever a voice that doesn't pursue power or personal interests, but speaks to the souls of the powerful of this world as their conscience," added Pellegrini. American Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected on Thursday by the conclave as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. The newly elected pope has taken the name Leo XIV. Leo XIV is the first pope from the United States. According to his biography on the Vatican's website, he was born in Chicago in 1955. Until now, he has served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops since January 2023 and previously as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. He's a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, in which he previously held the post of prior general. lin/df