Lithuanian president expects new pope to lead Church with 'faith, hope and love'

VILNIUS - Pope Leon XIV has been entrusted with guiding the Church in faith, hope and love during a difficult period for humanity, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday.

"The College of Cardinals, including Lithuanian Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, has entrusted Pope Leon XIV with an extraordinary mission: leading the Church on the path of faith, hope and love during this difficult time for humanity," Nauseda posted on Facebook.

"I wish the new successor of Saint Peter, Pope Leon XIV, strength, wisdom and every success," he added.

The president said he was confident that "the deep, historically rooted ties between Lithuania and the Holy See, as well as our close cooperation to promote the well-being of every person and society, will only grow stronger during Pope Leon XIV's pontificate".

Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas also offered his congratulations.

"May your pontificate inspire people around the globe to seek peace, social justice, and protection of human rights," he posted on X.

Saulius Skvernelis, the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, said that "today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church and for all believers".

"The new pontiff's first words in Saint Peter's Square were inspiring, and showed that the Church will follow the path of tolerance, peace and love for every person, while remaining true to the Christian principles and values that unite the Catholic world," he posted on Facebook.

Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope on Thursday and took the name Leon XIV. The 69-year-old Chicago native is the first pope from the United States.

He spent many years as a missionary in Peru and is archbishop emeritus of Chiclayo, a city in the South American country.

Pope Francis made Prevost a cardinal in 2023.