In a momentous ceremony attended by world leaders, Pope Leo XIV officially began his tenure, prioritizing a message of love and evangelization to unite the global Catholic community.
Pope Leo XIV Commences Papacy with Call for Global Peace
Pope Leo XIV Commences Papacy with Call for Global Peace
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, ushered in his papacy in St. Peter’s Square, calling for peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar amid a historic congregation.
Pope Leo XIV, the historic first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, attended by tens of thousands of faithful and prominent dignitaries. Among those present were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and global leaders like Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who came together to mark the beginning of Leo’s papacy.
During the outdoor ceremony, Pope Leo invoked the spirit of peace in parts of the world gripped by conflict, such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar, echoing messages of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April. As the 267th pope, Leo stated that he aspires to further the church's mission of evangelization, emphasizing the need to embrace all individuals within the church's fold.
“The goal is never to lead others through coercion, propaganda, or power, but through love,” Leo proclaimed. His inaugural Mass marked a significant moment, not just for the Catholic Church but also for the international community, with representatives gathering to show support for a leader who harbors a vision for inclusivity and doctrine.
Vice President Vance's attendance is seen as a potential thawing of relations between the pontificate and conservative Catholic factions in the U.S., particularly following his previous contentious engagement with Francis. Observers see a promising alignment of views between Vance and Pope Leo, particularly in light of the pope’s blending of traditional Catholic values with a mission to forge peace and unity.
The pope's welcoming of leaders, including Zelensky, reflects a commitment to addressing urgent global issues while reinforcing the importance of love and compassion in the church’s outreach efforts. After the ceremony, the pope was scheduled to meet with some of these dignitaries to discuss collaborative pathways towards peace and unity in the face of rising geopolitical challenges.
