This is the heartwarming moment captured at Pope Leo XIV’s historic unveiling to the world yesterday that has left millions of fans overwhelmed with emotion.
Footage of Cardinal Vinko Puljić from the momentous occasion has even reduced some TikTok viewers to tears, with the Bosnian former archbishop seen widely smiling while the newly elected Pontiff delivered his first speech from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica yesterday evening.
As Pope Leo XIV spoke to the crowd of thousands who had gathered to witness the historic moment, Cardinal Puljić, the longest-serving cardinal to have voted in the conclave, watched on with admiration and pride, adorning a large grin and chuckling to himself as he gazed out at the sea of supporters.
In a viral TikTok video capturing the sweet moment that has amassed more than seven million views and titled ‘POV: your best friend just made it and you’re their biggest fan’, viewers were quick to praise the loving and supportive nature of the cardinal, with one commenting: ‘Why am I finding the cardinals so cute’, while another said ‘It’s beautiful to see someone rejoice in someone else’s happiness and success’.
One commenter even remarked how they had been ‘moved to tears’ by the public show of support, adding: ‘What’s going on? I’m not catholic and never thought I would be moved to tears by a kind looking pope and a bunch of happy cardinals. This is heartwarming and I’ve no idea why’.
Another jokingly added that the cardinal had likely appeared so content as he felt ‘relieved he doesn’t have to do the job’, while one commenter questioned: ‘Why am I now imagining how proud I’d be if my best friend became Pope’.
Cardinal Puljić, who has held the position since 1994, recently echoed his support for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, telling the Catholic Press Agency in Bosnia that he ‘communicates well, has an ability to listen and hear’.
Cardinal Puljić, the longest-serving cardinal to have voted in the conclave, watched on with admiration and pride as Pope Leo XIV spoke to the crowd of thousands who had gathered in St Peter’s Square yesterday
Adorning a large grin and chuckling to himself as he gazed out at the sea of supporters, footage of the heartwarming moment has even reduced some fans to tears
Cardinal Puljić (pictured) who has held the position since 1994, recently echoed his support for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, telling the Catholic Press Agency in Bosnia that he ‘communicates well, has an ability to listen and hear’
He added that the vote in the conclave amongst 133 cardinals, while initially ‘dispersed’, eventually narrowed as it became clear that the Pontiff holds a clear ‘capacity to lead’.
In a moving tribute to his predecessor Pope Francis, who died aged 88 on Easter Monday last month, Robert Prevost, history’s first ever American Pope, told jubilant followers on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilca ‘Peace be with you’ and also offered a reminder of God’s unconditional love.
Thanking Francis for his work and his ‘brother cardinals’ who elected him, Pope Leo added: ‘Pope Francis, in fact, was always courageous, and he blessed Rome. The Pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world on that Easter morning’.
Crowds had been joyously waving flags and chanting ‘Habemus Papam’ – the Latin for ‘we have a Pope’ – since white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel shortly after 5pm UK time on Thursday, indicating that cardinals had elected a new pontiff.
While Pope Leo, religious leader of some 1.4billion Catholics worldwide, makes history as the first American pope, the religious leader has not been shy about his disapproval of President Donald Trump in the past.
Despite this, the US leader was one of the first notable figures to congratulate the new pope on his position, stating that he will ‘look forward to meeting’ the new pontiff in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The US President wrote: ‘Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope.
Robert Prevost, an American, was named as the new Pope yesterday. In his first speech as the leader of the Catholic Church, he made a moving tribute to his predecessor
Robert Prevost, history’s first ever American Pope, told jubilant followers on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilca ‘Peace be with you’ and also offered a reminder of God’s unconditional love
Robert Francis Prevost receives his biretta from Pope Francis as he is elevated in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican in September 2023
‘What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the pontiff’s election as a ‘momentous moment’ and said that he looks ‘forward to meeting the Holy Father and continuing to work closely with the Catholic Church’.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also congratulated Pope Leo’s appointment with a plea for continued support from the Vatican.
In a post published on social media platform X, Mr Zelensky wrote: ‘Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.
‘At this decisive moment for our country, we hope for the continued moral and spiritual support of the Vatican in Ukraine’s efforts to restore justice and achieve a lasting peace.’
