Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, has vowed to work for unity so that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world, offering a message of love and communion during an inaugural Mass in St Peter’s Square before tens of thousands of people, presidents, patriarchs and princes.
Leo began his papacy with a popemobile ride through the piazza, a traditional event that represents the global influence and media interest in the papacy. Despite not stopping to interact with the crowd, the 69-year-old missionary from the Augustinian order smiled and waved at onlookers from the back of the vehicle.
During the Mass, Leo seemed emotional as he received two important symbols of his new role as the leader of the 1.4-billion-member church: the pallium, a woolen garment placed on his shoulders, and the fisherman’s ring, which was placed on his finger. It appeared as if the weight of responsibility had just dawned on him.
“Originally, the only hope I had coming here was to see the inside of the Sistine Chapel,” he said.
“After the conclave ended, I felt relieved as I could finally visit the Sistine Chapel. Catching a glimpse of the pope was unexpected and truly special to me. It was like discovering a priceless treasure,” he shared.
