Lula urges new pope to continue Francis’ legacy
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva congratulated US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was elected on Thursday (May 8) at the Vatican as the 267th pope of the Catholic church.
“I wish him to continue the legacy of Pope Francis, whose main virtues were the incessant search for peace and social justice, the defense of the environment, dialogue with all nations and all religions, and respect for the diversity of human beings,” he wrote.
The name chosen by the new pontiff is Leo XIV. He succeeds Francis, who died on April 21.
“We don’t need wars, hatred, and intolerance. We need more solidarity and more humanism. We need love of neighbor—the basis of Christ's teachings. May Pope Leo XIV bless us and inspire us in our permanent quest to build a better and fairer world,” said the Brazilian president, who is on an international trip to Moscow.
