Louisiana leaders react after Robert Prevost elected as first American pope
The Chicago-born Prevost took the name Leo XIV. His first words from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica were 'Peace be with you.' He emphasized a message of peace, dialogue, and missionary evangelization while wearing the traditional red cape of the papacy.
The newly elected Pope has ties to Louisiana. According to FindAGrave records, his maternal grandmother, Louise Baquie Martinez, was born in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 1868. She and his grandfather, Joseph Martinez, got married in New Orleans on Sept. 17, 1887. The couple moved to Chicago around 1911.
What Pope Leo XIV's name choice may signal
Gov. Jeff Landry congratulated Prevost in a post on X.
'This is a historic day. May his leadership be guided by faith, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the service of the Church,' Landry said.
Attorney General Liz Murrill called Thursday 'a historic day' in a social media post.
'A historic day as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from the United States was elected as the 267th Pope. I join Catholics across Louisiana and the world in congratulating and praying for Pope Leo XIV,' Murrill wrote.
Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X, 'Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV. May God bless the first American papacy in these historic days.'
Sen. Bill Cassidy wrote, 'The influence of the Catholic Church is felt throughout the world. In modern times, it has included John Paul II's advocacy for the freedom of Eastern Europe from Soviet Russia and every pope's strong stand for life. We pray that Pope Leo XIV provides the same level of moral courage and clarity for the Catholic Church and beyond.'
Congressman Troy Carter released a statement celebrating Prevost's election and his family's ties to New Orleans. Read his full statement below.
'As a Black man, a proud son of New Orleans, and a U.S. Congressman honored to represent Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District — which includes the very 7th Ward neighborhood where our newly selected Pope's family once lived — I am overwhelmed with joy and pride at this historic moment.
'For many years, I have had the privilege of serving and representing this vibrant, resilient community — a place rich with Creole heritage, deep faith, and a legacy of perseverance. As someone who grew up in the Catholic faith and graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Catholic university in the world, I know firsthand the profound intersection of faith, identity, and culture that shapes our people.
'The news that the first American Pope has roots here in New Orleans, with ancestral ties to our Creole and Haitian families, is nothing short of extraordinary. It reminds the world that greatness rises from every corner — including communities that history has too often overlooked or underestimated.
'This moment is a testament not just to personal achievement, but to the enduring strength and global reach of New Orleans' diverse faith community. As we celebrate, I pray that the Holy Father leads with justice, compassion, and a commitment to uplifting the marginalized, reflecting the spirit of the people and places that shaped him.
'We rejoice as one — and we send our love, our prayers, and our pride from the 7th Ward to the Vatican.'
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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