In a gesture of spiritual diplomacy and goodwill, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV extended his blessings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

The blessing took place at St. Peter’s Square during the weekly Papal Audience, which drew over 30,000 pilgrims and visitors. The audience, a long-standing tradition, allows the Pope to share teachings and offer blessings to the faithful and dignitaries from around the world.

This week, Pope Leo XIV held a special meeting with a delegation from the Indian Minorities Federation (IMF), led by Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu, former diplomat and MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and IMF convener Prof. Himani Sood.

During the meeting, the Pope offered prayers for Prime Minister Modi’s good health and long life, acknowledging his leadership and public service. In a symbolic moment, he also blessed a portrait of PM Modi presented by the delegation. Attendees described the occasion as spiritually moving and respectful.

As part of the exchange, MP Sandhu gifted the Pope a copy of Heart to Heart: Reverence of Saga, a biographical tribute highlighting Modi’s relationship with the Sikh community and his efforts to promote interfaith harmony—values closely aligned with Pope Leo XIV’s calls for global peace and unity.

The Vatican’s recognition of Modi’s milestone birthday comes amid deepening engagement between India and the Holy See. Earlier this year, PM Modi praised the Pope’s leadership in advancing solidarity and humanitarian outreach.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church since his appointment in May 2025, has emphasized inclusive dialogue and cooperation across faiths. His blessing of PM Modi was hailed by the IMF delegation as a “historic moment of spiritual solidarity” that reflected India’s pluralism and universal values of compassion and service.