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Grave charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have been invoked against the priest.
As part of the ceremony, Leo will also formally receive two items as he takes up the papacy: a liturgical vestment known as a pallium, a strip of lambswool which represents his role as a shepherd, and a special band known as the fisherman's ring.
"No more war!" the pope said, repeating a frequent call of the late Pope Francis and noting the recent 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which killed some 60 million people.
The newly elected pope first visited Kochi in 2004, when he was the superior general of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA).
Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago but spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, said a few words in English before continuing his homily in fluent Italian.
"Through your role, you provide hope and guidance to millions of believers around the world in these challenging times," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The election came on the first full day of voting by the 133 cardinal electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls on Wednesday afternoon.
Here's a closer look at the names generating the most buzz.
Pope Francis was laid to rest Saturday with a funeral and burial ceremony that drew 400,000 people to St Peter's Square.
With the elevation of the Calicut diocese, its bishop, Dr Varghese Chakkalakal, became the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Calicut Archdiocese.
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