His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, congratulated His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Thursday following his election as the new Pope of the Catholic Church.

In his message, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his sincere wishes for Pope Leo XIV, stating that he hopes the new leader will be successful in promoting mutual understanding, peace, and harmony throughout the world.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was unexpectedly elected, chose the name Leo XIV, marking the first time a US pontiff has taken on this role. Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica approximately 70 minutes after the white smoke indicated that the 133 cardinal electors had selected a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.