Several African heads of state congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and praised his message of peace and legacy in the face of the late Pope Francis, according to official messages and also messages posted on the social network X.

The African continent has 20% of the planet's Catholics, followed by South America with 27,4% – with Brazil representing 13% – and Europe with 21.5%, according to the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook.

The Vatican announced today that the inauguration mass of Leo XIV's pontificate will take place on May 18, and the ceremony will be attended by delegations and heads of state from around the world.

The Mass will serve as a formal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, followed by the first general audience with the faithful on May 21. Three days later, on May 24, the new Pope is expected to meet with the Curia and Vatican officials.

Peruvian-born American Cardinal Francis Robert Prevost was elected last Thursday, May 8, 2025, as Pope Leo XIV, during the conclave held to elect the successor to Pope Francis who died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

The Angolan Head of State and Acting President of the African Union, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, today congratulated the new Pope, Robert Prevost “Leo XIV”, elected as Pope Francis’ successor.

In a message addressed to His Holiness, João Lourenço wrote:

On behalf of the Angolan Executive and in my own name, I have the honor to congratulate Your Holiness on your election to such a prestigious position as Bishop of Rome and World Leader of the Catholic Church.

We are immensely pleased to know that the choice that fell upon Your Holiness was the consensual result of profound reflection by prominent figures of the Catholic Church who recognized in you all the qualities necessary to lead the Catholic faithful of the world, who surely hope that this essential religious institution will continue to be a reference of humanism.

The Angolan President added:

We believe that Your Holiness' powerful influence will contribute significantly to the restoration of peace in the turbulent situations experienced in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world, with the hope of reestablishing harmony and understanding among the peoples and nations of our planet.”

João Lourenço concluded his message wishing:

I wish Your Holiness a fruitful pontificate, filled with many successes, in which the desire for a better and more just world will shine forth. I wish Your Holiness much health and prosperity in the exercise of Your noble and demanding mission.

South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday at the X that the election of the new Pope is a “profound moment for the Catholic Church, as well as for the world community that followed the solemn event with hopeful expectation.

The South African head of state called for the ceremonial white smoke that signaled the Conclave's consensus to prevail over the dark clouds of military bombardments affecting various regions of the world today.

For Ramaphosa, Pope Leo XIV's call for peace is a call that resonates with most of humanity and honors the legacy of the late Pope Francis.

Finally, he said that South Africa wishes Pope Leo XIV a blessed and transformative papacy that strengthens faith, unity and social solidarity in the world.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said he warmly congratulates His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as head of the Catholic Church and wished him a pontificate of peace, dialogue and fraternity.

Cameroon

For Cameroon's Head of State, Paul Biya, the spiritual and moral leadership of the new Pope and Bishop of Rome, as well as his great humanist sensitivity, will ensure that his voice is heard and his actions are appreciated, in the interest of peace and dialogue between nations.

Serra Leoa

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio warmly congratulated His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election as the new leader of the Catholic Church, stressing that the unwavering faith of this member of the Order of Saint Augustine and his dedication are an inspiration to all.

"May his papacy bring unity, compassion, and hope to the world. We support him in prayer as he guides the Church with wisdom and grace ," said Julius Maada Bio.

DRC

The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the country on the continent with the largest number of baptized Catholics, almost 55 million people, said he congratulated Pope Leo XIV on the Chair of Saint Peter with deep emotion.

For Félix Tshisekedi, the Holy Father's call for a humble, fraternal Church focused on the world's peripheries has particular strength in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a land of living faith.

According to the DRC's head of state, the Pope's words, full of wisdom and compassion, rekindle the certainty that the Church continues to stand alongside the people seeking justice, peace, and dignity.

For Tshisekedi, the message of service, humility, and closeness reinforces the commitment of neighboring Angola to reconciliation, the common good, and the defense of the most vulnerable.”

Finally, he desired a pontificate of spiritual renewal, of fruitful dialogue between peoples and of greater irradiation of the light of the Gospel in a world often darkened by indifference and division.

Botswana

The Government of Botswana also congratulated today, Friday, the election of Pope Leo XIV.

"The Catholic Church continues to be a global leader of faith and hope for the disadvantaged and the poor, advocating for equality, world peace and harmony ," reads an official government statement.

However, the Government of Botswana has also warned that Pope Leo XIV's leadership will be challenged by social inequalities, poverty, wars and other global problems that humanity and governments face today.

The wave of congratulations from Africa reflects not only the demographic importance of Catholics on the continent (almost 55 million in the DRC alone), but also the hope placed in Pope Leo XIV as a global mediator.

As the Vatican prepares for the solemn ceremony, the speeches by João Lourenço, Ramaphosa, and Tshisekedi echo a common appeal: may Pope Francis's humility not be lost and may the Church's new leadership be a beacon in a world grappling with war and inequality.

It remains to be seen whether the white smoke from the Conclave will translate into concrete action – or whether it will remain a symbol of a peace yet to be built.

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