'He will not have a smooth or easy mandate' - political leaders react to Pope Leo XIV election

White smoke in the Vatican. Robert Prevost has been elected the new Pope and has chosen the name Leo XIV. 

The Pope was elected by the conclave of 135 cardinals gathered since yesterday in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. 

Cardinal Dominique Mamberti was in charge of announcing the name in St. Peter's Square. "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: habemus papam," he said in Latin, meaning "I announce to you great joy: we have a Pope."

"Peace be with you all" Leo said in Italian in his first greeting to the faithful from the balcony as the highest representative of the Catholic Church. Prevost gave the traditional 'urbit et orbi' blessing, during which he had a remembrance for his predecessor Francis.

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Salvador Illa, Catalan president, has stated that "a new stage begins for the Church" with Robert Prevost as the new Pope, which Illa trusts will "allow the institution to continue moving forward."

In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Catalan leader also said he hoped that the election of Prevost as pontiff would contribute "to the commitment to achieving a more just, more prosperous, and peaceful world for all."

"This is a moment of shared joy for the entire Catholic community," the leader of the Catalan executive said.

Former Catalan president and leader of pro-independence Junts per Catalunya, Carles Puigdemont, celebrated the election of the new Pope, but warned in a message on social media platform X, formerly Twittter, he predicted that Leo "will not have a smooth or easy mandate."

Puigdemont highlighted that he will have as a basis "the good work left by Pope Francis" and wished Leo XIV's "many years" in the Papacy.

The president of pro-independence Esquerra Republicana, Oriol Junqueras, has predicted that Pope Leo XIV will "promote a path of social commitment and modernization" and "promote a path of peace."

The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, congratulated the entire Catholic Church on the election of the new Pope. "May his pontificate contribute to reinforcing dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world that needs hope and unity," he wrote.

Spanish vice-president and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, expressed her "absolute respect" for the election of Leo XIV and expressed hope that he will follow the path marked out by Pope Francis.

Díaz recalled that Francis had promoted a way of understanding the world and humanism from the fight against inequalities and in favor of peace. "Hopefully this appointment will serve to continue in the wake of Pope Francis," she said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the People's Party and leader of the opposition in Spain, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, wished "success, strength and wisdom" to the new Pope "in the great responsibility he assumes today."

"May his Papacy be a source of unity in the face of the great challenges facing the world," Feijóo added.