Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy on Sunday, emphasizing unity, preserving the Church’s traditions, and addressing global conflicts during his inaugural Mass attended by world leaders and thousands of faithful.

Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, was formally inaugurated in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, where he highlighted the importance of unity and continuity. Addressing an audience of 200,000, including global leaders and pilgrims, Leo promised to uphold the Church’s traditions while addressing modern challenges such as poverty, environmental issues, and global conflicts.

The newly elected pope, born in Chicago and also holding Peruvian citizenship, pledged to continue his predecessor Francis’ social advocacy and called for harmony among Catholics. Recognizing the divisions within the Church, Leo urged an end to discord, emphasizing the need to “walk alongside” the faithful rather than rule as an autocrat.

The Mass was attended by prominent figures, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and European royals. In his sermon, Leo appealed for peace in Ukraine, describing the nation as “martyred,” and called for urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Leo also signaled priorities for his papacy, such as addressing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and fostering peace within the Church and the world. The ceremony included traditional symbols of papal authority, including the pallium and the fisherman’s ring.

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