Indian PM Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed 'sincere felicitations' and best wishes from people in India to Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the new religious leader of the 1.4 billion-strong global Catholic community.

In his X handle, Modi wrote: "I convey sincere felicitations and best wishes from the people of India to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. His leadership of the Catholic Church comes at a moment of profound significance in advancing the ideals of peace, harmony, solidarity and service."

Catholic Community And New Leader

Modi said India remained committed to continued dialogue and engagement with the Holy See to further our shared values.

US Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected in a surprise choice as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.

After white smoke billowed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel signifying that the 133 cardinal electors had chosen a new leader for the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church, Pope Leo made an appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

The choice of Prevost was announced by French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" (We have a pope) to tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square to hear the news.

Originally from Chicago, Prevost, 69, has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru and became a cardinal only in 2023.

Rarely Speaks In Public

He has given very few media interviews and rarely speaks in public.

Leo becomes the 267th Catholic pope after the death of Pope Francis last month, who was the first Latin American pope and had led the Church for 12 years.

Pope Francis undertook a range of reforms and allowed debate on divisive issues such as women's ordination and better inclusion of LGBT Catholics.

Ahead of the conclave, some cardinals called for continuity with Francis' vision of greater openness and reform, while others said they wanted to go back and embrace old traditions.