Accepting his elevation to the most powerful office in the country, the 38-year-old said: "I've been elected to lead but I promise to serve".
Fine Gael Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar is congratulated as he leaves Leinster House in Dublin after he has been elected as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.
Earlier this year, Enda Kenny announced he was stepping down after 15 years leading Fine Gael and six years as Taoiseach. Enda Kenny left an administration with five women around the cabinet table; Varadkar's has only four.
A 57-40 vote in the Dail, Ireland's parliament, with 47 abstentions, came Wednesday.
Varadkar, a former GP, is the son of an Irish nurse and a doctor who also practiced in India.
Mr Eastwood said: "On behalf of myself and my party, I wish to extend warm congratulations to the new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar".
"Leo has been making headlines round the world - the first openly gay Taoiseach, the first son of an immigrant". Varadkar, he said "represents a modern, diverse and inclusive Ireland and speaks for them like no other".
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The Majority Whip was struck in the hip and the bullet shattered blood vessels, bones and internal organs along the way. And Sava said Friday that Griner "sustained a gunshot wound to the ankle".
Fine Gael elected Varadkar, a trained doctor, as its leader in early June.
Varadkar himself has also downplayed his sexuality after coming out during a radio interview five months before Ireland voted "yes" on the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland.
He then travelled to the president's residence, Aras an Uachtarain, where President Michael D Higgins gave him the seals of office to officially confirm his appointment.
Mr Varadkar's Cabinet reshuffle saw leadership rival Simon Coveney made the effective "Brexit Minister", while Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has been tasked with preparing "for the challenges and opportunities of Brexit".
Mr Kenny's career spans more than 40 years as a deputy in Ireland's parliament.
Naomi Long said: "Northern Ireland and the Republic have a good relationship and I am confident it will continue under his stewardship".
The election result, which Varadkar was tipped to win from the start, ultimately saw him receive more lukewarm support from Fine Gael members compared to the parliamentary party, who largely supported him in his leadership bid.
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