Brussels - New York: Europe and the Arabs
A joint statement was issued in Brussels by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the election of Pope Leo XIV as Head of the Catholic Church. The statement read: “We extend our warmest congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as Pope and Head of the Catholic Church. Millions of Europeans draw inspiration daily from the Church’s unwavering commitment to peace, human dignity, and mutual understanding among nations. We are confident that Pope Leo XIV will use his voice on the world stage to promote these shared values ​​and encourage unity in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.
The European Union stands ready to work closely with the Holy See to address global challenges and foster a spirit of solidarity, respect, and kindness.
We hope that the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV will be guided by wisdom and strength as he leads the Catholic community and inspires the world through his commitment to peace and dialogue.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations congratulated His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and Catholics around the world. He said that the election of the new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of believers around the world. The world and it comes at a time of grave international challenges.
In a press statement, Secretary-General António Guterres said: "Our world needs the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity, and compassion. I look forward to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See—recently championed by Pope Francis—to promote solidarity and reconciliation and build a just and sustainable world for all."
The Secretary-General added that this cooperation is rooted in the first words of Pope Leo: Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal: May peace reign throughout the world.