Bishop of the Udupi Catholic Diocese Leslie Clifford D’Souza met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday to receive his blessings after assuming office.

Pope Leo met all newly appointed Bishops from around the world on Thursday and subsequently held individual conversations with the Bishops of each diocese.

During the meeting, Bishop Leslie felicitated the Pope on behalf of the diocese with a traditional shawl and a statue of Our Lady of Milagres and conveyed greetings on behalf of Udupi district. He also briefed the Pope about the Udupi Diocese, a release said.