By Staff Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, saying his emphasis on peace resonated with most of the globe.
“May the ceremonial white smoke that signalled the consensus of the conclave prevail over the dark plumes of military bombardments affecting various regions of the world today,” the president said in a statement.
“Pope Leo XIV’s early emphasis on peace is a call that resonates with most of humanity and is one that honours the legacy of the late Pope Francis. South Africa wishes Pope Leo XIV a blessed and transformative papacy that will strengthen faith, unity and social solidarity in the world.”
In his first address shortly after being elected, Pope Leo, speaking in Italian and Spanish referred to peace throughout his short speech, which included: “Peace be with you. Dearest brothers and
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