Under the radiant Roman sun, a pope welcomed his congregation.
As he navigated through tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Leo XIV made his presence felt.
The event of Pope Leo’s inaugural mass – a live account
Seated in an open-top Popemobile, the 267th pontiff appeared at ease, smiling and waving at the faithful crowd.
Occasionally, he paused to bless infants handed to him by overjoyed parents.
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby while making his way to the inaugural mass. Pic: AP
People from all corners of the globe, waving their national flags, raised their phones as he passed, eager to capture this historic moment.
The atmosphere was charged with joy and excitement.
After the exhilaration, there was a solemn moment as Leo XIV prayed at St. Peter’s tomb, reflecting on the legacy of past popes before heading to the outside altar.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle placing the fisherman’s ring on the Pope’s finger. Pic: AP
In front of dignitaries, heads of state, and the public, Leo was presented with the symbols of his papacy: the pallium draped over his shoulders and the fisherman’s ring adorned on his finger.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who many speculated might take Leo’s role, had the privilege of performing this honor.
At this moment, the weight of responsibility seemed to settle in as the new pontiff gazed at the ring and contemplated the vast duty ahead that accompanies leading 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
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What kind of leader will he emerge as?
His inaugural mass offered insights through the humble homily delivered.
“Chosen without merit of my own, I come to you in fear and trembling, as a brother who seeks to serve your faith and joy,” he expressed to the crowd.
Once more, Leo presented himself as a pontiff devoted to fostering peace and unity, critiquing economic systems that leave the impoverished behind.
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The Pope then proceeded to prepare holy communion while the crowd exchanged handshakes and signs of peace.
This message of peace resonated as he closed the mass.
“We cannot forget our brothers and sisters suffering due to war.
“In Gaza, surviving children, families, and the elderly face starvation. In Myanmar, new conflicts assert their toll on innocent lives.
“Finally, war-torn Ukraine seeks negotiations for a fair and lasting peace,” the Pope stated.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in discussion with Pope Leo. Pic: ZelenskyyUa/X
Message of peace conveyed to prominent figures
Undoubtedly, peace was a central theme Leo emphasized to awaiting dignitaries.
Among those he met post-mass were US Vice President JD Vance and the President of Israel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a private audience with the pontiff and later shared on X, “We are grateful to the Vatican for facilitating direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.”
The Pope shares a hug with his brother Louis. Pic: AP
Amidst all the symbolism and ceremony, it was perhaps the embrace with his brother Louis that highlighted the profound changes in Leo’s life.
A cardinal from Chicago has now ascended to one of the world’s most influential positions.
As the crowd celebrated this monumental occasion, the Pope appeared to already be reflecting on the challenges ahead—the formidable task of fostering unity in an increasingly fragmented world.