Pope Leo XIV holds inaugural mass at St Peters Square

Published: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 1:12 pm

New Pope Leo XIV Calls for Unity and Peace in Inaugural Mass at St. Peter's Square

In a historic event, Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, celebrated his inaugural papal mass at St. Peter's Square, calling for unity, love, and peace in a world marked by discord. The mass, attended by an estimated 150,000 pilgrims and numerous world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance, marked the official start of the papacy for Cardinal Robert Prevost.

Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of the Catholic Church serving as a "small leaven of unity" amidst global challenges, including conflict, hatred, and economic disparities. He stressed that the Church's true authority lies in the "charity of Christ," advocating for love and compassion over force or power. The Pope is scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy later, amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV received the traditional symbols of the papacy: the gold signet Fisherman's Ring, representing the beginning and end of a papacy, and the lambs wool pallium, symbolizing his role as a shepherd.

The mass saw the presence of other prominent figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Argentinian President Javier Milei, and Prince Edward representing the British royal family.

The Vatican has also hinted at the possibility of the Holy See facilitating peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. This follows previous criticisms of the Trump administration by the new Pope, particularly regarding immigration policies. Pope Leo XIV has also expressed his commitment to using social media to communicate with the world, continuing the tradition of his predecessors.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Inaugural Mass, St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, JD Vance, Unity, Peace, Ukraine, Russia, Catholic Church, Cardinal Robert Prevost, US Pope, World Leaders, Fisherman's Ring, Pallium, Social Media, @Pontifex, Immigration, Donald Trump, Mark Carney, Anthony Albanese, Isaac Herzog, Javier Milei, Prince Edward, Holy See, Peace Talks.

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