Pope Leo XIV Elected First American Pontiff, China India Seek Stable Vatican Dialogue

Pope Leo XIV, formerly American Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected as the first American pontiff of the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Francis. China congratulated the new pope and expressed hope for continued dialogue and steady improvement in China-Vatican relations, emphasizing cooperation on international issues and global peace. This marks a cautious but notable shift from China's muted response to Pope Francis' death, during whose papacy efforts were made to engage China despite ongoing repression of Christians. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended felicitations to Pope Leo XIV, affirming India's commitment to continued dialogue with the Holy See to promote shared values of peace and harmony. The election of Pope Leo XIV followed a period of mourning for Pope Francis, who was widely respected and remembered for his simple nature and connection to people worldwide. India's delegation, led by President Droupadi Murmu, attended Pope Francis' funeral, underscoring India's respectful relations with the Vatican that are expected to continue under the new pontiff.