In brief
In his inaugural Mass, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of serving "ordinary people," marking a new chapter for the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, held his first Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel, where he reaffirmed his commitment to support the poor and marginalized while calling for a church that engages its faithful more inclusively. His election as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from Chicago, marks a pivotal moment for the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, but many cardinals emphasized his track record of service in Peru and leadership roles at the Vatican as more significant than his nationality.At a press briefing in Rome, Cardinals expressed that conversations surrounding Prevost's American roots were secondary, with Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington D.C. stating that it was not an "American election" but rather an effort to enhance faith for God’s followers. Pope Leo XIV's advocacy largely mirrors that of Pope Francis, focusing on the needs of the poor and migrants, but is characterized as being more reserved and less flamboyant. His vision of a "synodal" church, proactively soliciting parishioner feedback rather than dictating from above, further highlights his intent to create a more approachable and compassionate Catholicism in a time when social divides are prominent.
