President Donald Trump embraced Robert Prevost’s election as the Catholic Church‘s next pope. Prevost is the first U.S.-born pontiff in history.

“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope,” Trump said Thursday on social media. “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

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It was announced that Prevost, 69, a Chicago native and Villanova University graduate, took the name Leo XIV shortly before he addressed the crowd in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, after a two-day conclave following the death of Pope Francis last month.

POPE LEO XIV: CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST BECOMES FIRST-EVER AMERICAN PONTIFF

Prevost was a missionary who spent most of his career in Peru as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher, and administrator before he was made a cardinal in 2023. Later that year, Francis appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Earlier Thursday, after white smoke billowed out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, Trump was asked for his response to the new pope.

POPE LEO XIV: CARDINAL ROBERT PREVOST BECOMES FIRST-EVER AMERICAN POPE

“I saw the smoke, but I haven’t seen the pope,” Trump said.

Trump has underscored the importance of faith during his second administration, countering perceived anti-Christian bias.