नवीनतम
American prelate Robert Prevost elected as new Pope
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: American prelate Robert Francis Prevost has been elected the new Pope, becoming the first American pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. He will take the pontifical name of Pope Leo XIV.
Chicago-born 69 years old Prevost is a member of the Augustinian order and has served in Peru. He was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America by Pope Francis in 2023.
Addressing the crowd from the Vatican balcony, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church delivered a message of peace, saying, ‘Peace be with all of you.’ The election, signified by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney, came after a conclave of 133 cardinals selected his successor. The conclave required a two-thirds majority of 89 votes to elect a new Pope.
"I extend my most sincere wishes to Pope Leo XIV for the beginning of his pontificate. "In a time of conflict and anxiety, his words from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica are a powerful call for peace, fraternity and responsibility," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on X.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV will follow the path of solidarity, compassion and dignity in an era of global challenges.
"The election of Pope Leo XIV is a deeply profound moment of joy for Catholics in the United Kingdom and globally, and begins a new chapter for the leadership of the Church and in the world ... "I look forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church here in the UK and internationally to advance our shared values ... and the common good," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schooef has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, noting that this is a special moment for the global Catholic community and beyond.
Venezuela has also sent official congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, expressing hope that his pontificate will continue the course of social justice and inter-religious dialogue, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, commenting on the election of new Pope Leo XIV, emphasized his Latin roots and deep connection with Latin America, expressing hope that the pontificate will become a powerful voice in defense of migrants and the environment.
"Congratulations to His Holiness Leo XIV, elected by the College of Cardinals as the head of the Vatican State and the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. I reaffirm our humanistic solidarity for world peace and prosperity," Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes that Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis, will advocate for peace and social justice.
In addition, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election and said that he looks forward to continuing cooperation with the Holy See.
Palestinian movement Hamas also expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV "maintains this moral approach of supporting the oppressed, taking decisive action in international arenas to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by the Zionist occupation against defenseless children, women and civilians in Gaza, and ending the systematic violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine."
