Pope Leo XIV officially launched his papacy today (Sunday) with a solemn inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands of worshippers and dignitaries gathered to witness the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church.
Riding through the square in the popemobile for the first time, the new pontiff was greeted with waves, cheers, and prayers as he took his place at the altar, according to DW.COM
Among the high-profile guests in attendance were U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with his wife, Olena, and senior German and American officials.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV laid out a vision rooted in unity, humility, and a deep concern for the environment and the marginalized — echoing many of the priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“Our first great desire must be for a united Church,” Leo declared. “A sign of communion that becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”
He condemned the “economic paradigm” that exploits natural resources and marginalizes the poor, warning against hatred, violence, and fear of difference. Leo also pledged to lead with humility, stating, “I will govern without ever yielding to the temptation of autocracy.”
Before the Mass, Pope Leo prayed at the tomb of St. Peter — a tradition symbolizing continuity with the first pope. During the service, he received the pallium, a woolen stole symbolizing his role as shepherd of the faithful, and the fisherman’s ring, depicting St. Peter casting a net, symbolizing the pope’s mission to be a “fisher of men.”
Following the homily, representatives from various sectors of the Church, including a married couple, participated in the “rite of obedience,” formally recognizing Leo XIV as their spiritual leader.
The inauguration drew a broad spectrum of international representation, underscoring the global significance of the papacy. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy attended with his wife, Olena, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and senior German and American officials.
The event marked not just a change in leadership, but the beginning of what Pope Leo XIV hopes will be a renewed mission for the Catholic Church — one anchored in compassion, inclusiveness, and stewardship of creation.
