What happened?
Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church and took the name Pope Leo XIV. The election occurred on 8th May 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV appeared on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica after white smoke signalled his election. Prevost, 69, is from the U.S. and has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru.
Why it matters to India
While the election of a new Pope is a significant global event, it has some relevance to India due to India’s large Catholic population. Any changes in the Catholic Church’s policies or leadership can indirectly affect the social and cultural landscape in India. Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV’s emphasis on social justice and engagement with the modern world may resonate with India’s own efforts to address social inequalities and modernisation. The new Pope’s views on international relations and global issues could also have implications for India’s foreign policy and its relationship with the Vatican.