In a heartfelt inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV commits to upholding his predecessor's legacy while embracing the future of the Church in a modern world.
Pope Leo XIV Addresses the Faithful for the First Time as Pontiff
Pope Leo XIV Addresses the Faithful for the First Time as Pontiff
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV leads his first Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square, emerging as a voice of unity and compassion.
In a highly anticipated moment, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first public blessing and address to thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square today. The newly elected pope began the occasion by reciting the Regina Caeli prayer, honoring the Virgin Mary and marking his presence as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church following his election announced with white smoke on Thursday.
Prior to the Sunday Mass, Pope Leo visited a shrine outside of Rome and prayed at the tomb of his late predecessor, Pope Francis, within the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, reflecting on the deep significance of his role in continuing the church's mission. He is set to be formally inaugurated during a mass in St. Peter's Square next week on May 18.
Elected after a two-day conclave, Pope Leo has had a whirlwind week, including his first Mass in the Sistine chapel and an audience with cardinals, during which he expressed humility about his election. He conveyed a commitment to the Church's "precious legacy," which includes support for missionary work and outreach to marginalized communities. Moreover, he underscored the contemporary challenges posed by advancements like artificial intelligence and the Church's role in defending human dignity and justice.
The 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and a former archbishop in Peru, is the first American to hold the papacy. His election is viewed as a symbol of continuity and unity for a church navigating through changing social dynamics. Having followed Pope Francis, Leo is expected to carry forth similar views regarding the poor, migrants, and environmental issues.
In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for the Church to stand together in pursuit of peace and justice, saying, “I want to walk together with you as a united Church." As the pontiff prepares for his inauguration, he is also scheduled to engage with the media, further connecting with the global community of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
Prior to the Sunday Mass, Pope Leo visited a shrine outside of Rome and prayed at the tomb of his late predecessor, Pope Francis, within the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, reflecting on the deep significance of his role in continuing the church's mission. He is set to be formally inaugurated during a mass in St. Peter's Square next week on May 18.
Elected after a two-day conclave, Pope Leo has had a whirlwind week, including his first Mass in the Sistine chapel and an audience with cardinals, during which he expressed humility about his election. He conveyed a commitment to the Church's "precious legacy," which includes support for missionary work and outreach to marginalized communities. Moreover, he underscored the contemporary challenges posed by advancements like artificial intelligence and the Church's role in defending human dignity and justice.
The 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and a former archbishop in Peru, is the first American to hold the papacy. His election is viewed as a symbol of continuity and unity for a church navigating through changing social dynamics. Having followed Pope Francis, Leo is expected to carry forth similar views regarding the poor, migrants, and environmental issues.
In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for the Church to stand together in pursuit of peace and justice, saying, “I want to walk together with you as a united Church." As the pontiff prepares for his inauguration, he is also scheduled to engage with the media, further connecting with the global community of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
