President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the election of Pope Leo XIV as a profound moment for the Catholic Church and the global community.  United States-born cardinal, 69-year-old Robert Prevost, was elected yesterday.

He has become the 267th occupant of the throne of Saint Peter and the new spiritual leader for 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.

Pope Leo spent many years in Peru where he served as a missionary and later as a bishop.

In a reference to the white smoke above the Sistine Chapel that signalled Pope Leo’s election by the conclave of cardinals, President Ramaphosa said it signalled a consensus that he hoped would prevail over the dark plumes of military bombardments affecting various regions of the world today.

The election of Pope Leo XIV is a profound moment for the Catholic Church as well as the global community who followed this solemn event with hopeful anticipation.

May the ceremonial white smoke that signalled the consensus of the Conclave prevail over the dark plumes of… pic.twitter.com/rH7uVzxK6j

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 8, 2025

Ramaphosa said Pope Leo’s early emphasis on peace is a call that resonates with most of humanity and is one that honours the legacy of late Pope Francis.

On behalf of South Africa, he wished the new Pontiff a blessed and transformative papacy that would strengthen the faith, unity and social solidarity in the world.

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