Kathleen Kennedy Townsend says Pope Leo XIV’s welcoming first speech an ‘important message at this time’

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the niece of former President Kennedy, who was the first Roman Catholic U.S. president, reflected on Pope Leo XIV’s first speech as pontiff. 

Kennedy Townsend, a former Maryland lieutenant governor who is the eldest daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, said his words connected with present trials across the world.

“He’s a pope for peace. He said, ‘All of us are equal. All of us are special under God. We’re all children of God.’ So he’s saying to each person, ‘I love you. God loves you,’” she said during a Thursday appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill.”

“He’s saying we welcome everybody, and I think that’s a very important message at this time when so many people are divided by what their belief is,” she added.

Leo’s speech made earlier references to former Pope Francis, who died late last month.

“The pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world, that morning of Easter Sunday. Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail. We are all in God’s hands,” Leo said.

“Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and with each other, let us move forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us. The world needs his light.”

Many leaders applauded the religious leader, who is the first American pope in history.

“This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith,” former President Obama said in a statement. 

Former President George W. Bush also offered his congratulations to the American pontiff.

“This an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world,” he said in a statement. “We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love.”

Leo, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru. Kennedy Townsend acknowledged his background Thursday.

“I loved the fact that he was chosen as an American and that he had spent so much time in Latin America. So it sort of like all the Americas were chosen,” she told NewsNation.