President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday, "We were a little bit surprised, but very happy. It’s just a great, absolutely great honor." Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope.

The president said Thursday that he looks forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV, while Vance — who visited with the previous pope the day before his death — said millions will “pray for his successful work.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.