Robert Francis Prevost, who was born in Chicago, celebrated his first mass in St. Peter’s Square today, the first day of his pontificate. He was chosen to succeed Pope Francis after his death.
As he was duly sworn in as the 267th head of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo echoed the ideals of his predecessor and called for an end to the marginalization of the poor.
At his introductory mass, the 69-year-old stated, “We still see too much discord in our time, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.”
Tens of thousands of pilgrims flocked to witness the new pope.
Mission of unity:
The Church was split throughout Francis’ pontificate, with conservatives accusing him of causing misunderstandings, especially with his spontaneous comments on sexual morality topics like same-sex partnerships.
Leo used the terms “unity” or “united” seven times and “harmony” four times while stating that he was embarking on his mission “with fear and trembling.”
“Capturing people by coercion, religious propaganda, or forceful means is never the issue. Instead, it is always and only an issue of loving, as Jesus did,” he remarked, seemingly referring to a verbal sparring match between Catholics who identify as progressive or conservative.
“My first great desire, brothers and sisters, should be for a united Church, a symbol of unity and communion that serves as a leaven for a world that has been reconciled,” he added.
Conservatives also bemoaned Francis’s dismissal of their concerns and his lack of broad consultation before making decisions, accusing him of reigning in an overbearing manner.
“Peter must shepherd the flock without ever giving in to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him,” Leo remarked, referring to St. Peter, the Christian apostle from the first century who is the source of popes’ authority.
Quite the opposite; he is called to walk with and support his brothers and sisters in their faith.
The choir sang the traditional hymn “Tu es Petrus,” which translates to “You are Peter” in Latin, to highlight the uninterrupted succession of popes from St. Peter.
Foreign leaders that attended the ceremony :
Dignitaries such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Vice President JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky were present there.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada, and Australia, as well as the presidents of Peru, Israel, and Nigeria, were among the several foreign leaders that attended the ceremony. Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia were among the European royals who occupied the VIP seats close to the main altar.
Leo received two symbolic objects as part of the ceremony: the “fisherman’s ring,” which recalls the first pope, St. Peter, who was a fisherman; a liturgical vestment called a pallium; and a sash of lambswool, which symbolized his vocation as a shepherd.
