India, May 9 -- In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV. He becomes the first American to serve as pontiff.

Shortly after the announcement, Vatican News released footage showing Pope Leo XIV embracing each of the 133 cardinals who participated in the conclave that elected him. The video captures a poignant scene in the Sistine Chapel, where the newly elected pope offers a prayer from the altar and kneels in private reflection at a prie-dieu. He then warmly greets the cardinals with handshakes and smiles, a gesture of humility and gratitude.

The election of Leo XIV came on the second day of...