New Delhi, May 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi extended greetings to newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost.
PM Modi conveyed best wishes on behalf of India and expressed hope that the new Pope’s leadership will further global peace and harmony.
In a message to the new Pope, PM Modi said in a post on X, “I convey sincere felicitations and best wishes from the people of India to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.”
Rahul Gandhi praised the Pope’s commitment to compassion and service to humanity.
“Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV. May his leadership foster peace, compassion, and service to humanity. My best wishes to the global Catholic community on this joyous occasion,” said LoP Gandhi in a post on the social media platform X.
Pope Leo XIV, 69, an American and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away last month.
His election was announced with the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, bringing joy to Catholics worldwide.
American prelate Robert Francis Prevost was elected the new Pope on Thursday, and addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, the new Pope said: "Peace be with all of you."
The Chicago-born Prevost, 69, a member of the Augustinian order and who had served extensively in Peru, was Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America since 2023. He was appointed to the posts by Pope Francis, who elevated him as a Cardinal.
Significantly, he is the second successive Pope from the Americas after the Argentinian-born Pope Francis.
