Pope Leo XIV Calls for Church 'Unity' to Promote Peace During Inaugural Mass, Proclaiming 'Walk Towards God and Love One Another'

Published: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 1:48 pm

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Church Unity and Peace in Inaugural Mass

In his inaugural Mass at St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected pontiff, emphasized the need for a united Catholic Church to foster peace and address global challenges. Addressing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, world leaders, and representatives from various Christian denominations, the 69-year-old American Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, called for the faithful to "walk towards God and love one another."

The Pope's message of unity comes at a time of internal divisions within the Church, particularly concerning the direction set by his predecessor, Pope Francis. Pope Leo XIV expressed a desire for the Church to confront hatred, violence, prejudice, and economic exploitation, advocating for a Church that is a "small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world." He urged the world to "Look to Christ!" and embrace his message of love.

Drawing inspiration from the 4th-century theologian, St. Augustine, and referencing his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, the new Pope highlighted the importance of love and harmony in addressing global conflicts. He emphasized the need for the Church to be at the forefront of addressing the potential perils posed by artificial intelligence and defending human dignity.

The Pope also prayed for an end to conflicts worldwide, expressing sorrow for those suffering in war, specifically mentioning Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the Vatican could potentially mediate to help end the war with Russia.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Inaugural Mass, Church Unity, Peace, St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis, Vatican, Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar, Cardinal Robert Prevost, Love, Christian Unity, World Peace, Catholic Church, Regina Caeli, Volodymyr Zelensky, Marco Rubio, Artificial Intelligence, Human Dignity.

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