Reactions from across the world have been flooding in after Pope Leo XIV's election. While some have hailed the outcome of the conclave, others have taken a more critical stance. Charlotte Hughes takes a look at what the faithful, internet users and political leaders have been saying.
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00:00Next, Charlotte Hughes is back in studio with us with a look at how people around the world have
00:04been reacting to the election of the new Pope. Charlotte, what is the overall view?
00:11That's right, Sharon. Many reactions pouring in from across the world, ranging from joy to
00:17discontent. Now, I'd like to start with this picture, which I think captures the mood in
00:24St. Peter's Square. As you can see, lots of smiles. Someone here appears to be
00:29punching the air with joy. And of course, Pope Leo emerged to crowds to rapturous applause,
00:37as you can see in this video here. So the mood in St. Peter's Square, very joyous, and people
00:46appear to be welcoming the news. And another person, of course, who is welcoming this development
00:52is U.S. President Donald Trump, given that Leo is, of course, the first ever U.S. Pope to be elected
01:00to that role. Trump here on social media describing Leo's election as an honor, an honor for America,
01:09and he's looking forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. Sticking with the U.S., many internet users
01:18hailing from America also rejoicing at this news. We've got one user here congratulating the Pope,
01:28describing it as a monumental event and a triumph for America. We've also got another user in a similar
01:35vein, describing this as a moment they view as America becoming truly great again and a great
01:45achievement by an American. Now, elsewhere in the world, we have a string of leaders also voicing
01:53their congratulations to Leo. Among them, we've got Ursula von der Leyen. We've also got the president
02:01of Poland, Poland being a country where, of course, around 70% of the population is Catholic. And another
02:08reaction I took a look at was that of Volodymyr Zelensky, who took to X, calling this election coming
02:18at a moment that is, he says, a decisive moment for Ukraine, and he hopes for the continued moral
02:25and spiritual support of the Vatican in seeking peace for Ukraine. Peace, of course, being a word
02:32which was mentioned by Pope Leo numerous times throughout his speech. A lot of positive reaction
02:39then, as you say, Charlotte, but not everyone is happy. That's absolutely right, Sharon. Not everyone
02:45is happy. And among these people who have voiced their discontent with the outcome of the conclave
02:52are actually some people from the US. So we've got one internet user here describing the new pope as
03:00anti-MAGA woke, and I quote, a total disappointment. We also have another user here. We've got Laura
03:08Loomer, who is a prominent MAGA influencer, and she is describing Pope Leo as another or open borders
03:17Pope, of course, referring to Pope Leo's stance on migrants. Now, this is a stance which is very much
03:23in line with that of the late Pope Francis, who throughout his papacy did advocate for migrants.
03:31It is worth saying, though, that whilst this stance has drawn criticism from some, there are others
03:38who are welcoming this stance from Pope Leo. Among them is the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro,
03:46who took to social media, who took to social media, and he voiced his hopes that the new pope becomes a
03:52great leader for migrant people around the world. I quote, I hope he encourages our Latin American
03:57migrant brothers and sisters. Now, in terms of where the new pontiff stands on other issues,
04:06there are some users who have taken to social media to accuse Leo of being anti-LGBT.
04:13Now, what I can tell you about Leo's stance towards the LGBTQ community, according to the New York
04:22Times in 2012, he criticised media that expressed, I quote, sympathy for beliefs and practices that are
04:30at odds with the gospel, including, quote, the homosexual lifestyle. So, yes, users on social media
04:38are quick to denounce these statements. Leo is definitely sure to be watched closely by LGBT
04:44people around the world in the coming weeks to see exactly what his current stance is towards the
04:50community. Well, a mixed reaction, as you say there, when it comes to how people around the world
04:55are viewing and reacting to the election of this new pope. Charlotte, you, is there.