Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has congratulated Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on his appointment as the leader of the Catholic Church, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV, and praised his message of global peace.

Prevost, the first Pope from the United States, was elected during a papal conclave at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican on Thursday, succeeding the late Pope Francis.

"On behalf of President Prabowo Subianto and the government, I extend our congratulations on the election of Pope Leo XIV as the successor to Pope Francis," said Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi in a statement issued Friday.

Hadi added that President Prabowo would soon issue an official statement regarding the election of the new Pope.

He also expressed support for Pope Leo XIV's emphasis on peace and social justice.

"One important aspect of Pope Leo's election is his message centered on peace and social justice," Hadi stated.

In his first address as Pope to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV offered a prayer for peace and urged the faithful to foster dialogue and unity.

"Help us build bridges of dialogue and unite as one people in the world, now and forever," the Pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The 69-year-old American previously served for many years in Peru. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French, he was known for his commitment to the marginalized and migrants—a trait highly praised by the late Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV was appointed cardinal by Francis in 2023.

In addition to being the first American Pope, he is also the first member of the Order of Saint Augustine to lead the Catholic Church.

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