From left: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Pope Leo and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ARCHIVE/VATICAN

UAE leaders have extended their congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, who has made history as the first American-born pontiff elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a heartfelt message following the pope’s election, saying, “I extend my sincere best wishes to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his appointment as head of the Catholic Church and wish him success in continuing to promote mutual understanding, peace, and harmony throughout the world.” Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also welcomed the new pontiff, expressing hopes for deeper collaboration in promoting peace: “We extend our congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election. We in the UAE deeply appreciate the Vatican’s role in promoting dialogue and peace among nations and faiths, and we look forward to working together with His Holiness to advance a global message of coexistence, tolerance and shared humanity.”

Who is Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on Thursday (May 8) by 133 cardinal electors in a historic conclave at the Vatican. White smoke emerging from the Sistine Chapel signaled the conclusion of the vote, and about 70 minutes later, he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet the faithful. The 69-year-old Chicago native is the 267th pope and succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away last month at age 88 after serving for 12 years. Prevost, often called the “Latin Yankee,” brings an exceptional blend of American roots and Latin American missionary work. A former missionary in Peru, he served among marginalized communities before being appointed bishop in the Diocese of Chiclayo. He later rose through the Vatican ranks, becoming prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. Known for his pastoral vision and reformist outlook, Pope Leo XIV emphasized servant leadership in a 2023 interview, saying, “We must not hide behind an idea of authority that no longer makes sense today… The authority we have is to serve, to accompany priests, to be pastors and teachers.” His name choice honors Pope Leo XIII, remembered for his intellectual legacy and progressive teachings during the late 19th century. As pope, Leo XIV inherits a church at a crossroads — balancing reform, tradition, and calls for transparency amid ongoing global challenges. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: All you need to know about Pope Leo
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