Pope Leo XIV, the first American to take on the role, celebrated his inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, attracting a massive gathering of tens of thousands of worshippers. Esteemed guests at the event included Vice President JD Vance, other prominent world leaders, and high-ranking church officials, all present to witness the official beginning of Leo's leadership over 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.
In his homily, Leo XIV echoed sentiments from his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, calling for unity and peace in regions gripped by conflict, including Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. As the Vatican's 267th pope, he emphasized the church's mission of evangelization and a commitment to inclusivity within the faith community. “It is never a question of capturing others by force or through religious propaganda,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of love in spreading the faith.
The Mass drew an international audience, including key figures such as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia. Vice President JD Vance's presence at the event signals a desire to mend relationships between the papacy and American conservatives. Notably, Vance recently met Pope Francis, who had previously critiqued his views on theology and immigration, and now aligns himself with a pope who mirrors some of Francis's perspectives.
In a week filled with engagements, Pope Leo XIV's discussions with Zelensky and others are anticipated to shape diplomatic conversations going forward. The new pontiff's commitment to dialogue and peace highlights a hopeful vision for his papacy and the global church.
