Vatican City: In a historic ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy on Sunday with a powerful homily that condemned global economic injustice and social division.
The former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a 69-year-old missionary-turned-pope from Chicago, now leads the Roman Catholic Church as its first-ever American pontiff.
Tens of thousands of worshippers, pilgrims, and world leaders filled the square for the inauguration Mass, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Leo's message emphasized unity, compassion, and a renewed mission for the Church in a fractured world.
“We continue to see deep divisions and wounds inflicted by hate, violence, and prejudice,” he said. “And we remain trapped in an economic system that depletes our planet’s resources and pushes the most vulnerable to the margins.”
Pope Leo also urged the Church not to retreat into isolated groups, but to embrace cultural diversity and extend love and solidarity to all people. Drawing on his missionary experience in Peru, he called for a faith that bridges differences rather than erases them.
In a show of humility, Leo admitted his unease at the enormity of the role: “I was chosen without any merit of my own,” he told the crowd, “and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who seeks to serve your faith and joy.”
Earlier in the morning, Leo made his first appearance in the popemobile, waving and blessing the crowd. He later visited the tomb of Saint Peter before receiving the papal insignia: the pallium and the fisherman’s ring — a symbol of papal authority.
His election on May 8 came swiftly, following a conclave that lasted less than a day after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. While his rise has been met with celebration in the United States, it has stirred concern in some corners about the growing global influence of the U.S.
Leo's prior criticisms of U.S. immigration policies and Vice President Vance—shared on his now-deleted personal social media account—have added to the intrigue surrounding his leadership style and potential direction for the Church.
The inauguration was attended by high-profile figures from around the world, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and several European royals. Thousands of security personnel were deployed to ensure safety, supported by rooftop snipers and anti-drone systems.
Now officially the 267th pontiff, Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church navigating modern challenges, from internal reform to global crises. In his first message to the world, he offered not dogma, but hope: “Let us be a Church of love, justice, and peace.”
