That homily was delivered during the American pope’s inaugural mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.
He called for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics to embrace a “missionary spirit,” rather than closing themselves off “in our small groups.”
The Vatican said later Sunday that the pope had held a private audience with Zelenskyy and his wife in the Vatican.
The pope met with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte prior to the mass, the Vatican said.
Leo will wear that ring, which celebrates Saint Peter, who was the first pope, throughout his papacy.
LONDON AND ROME — In his first homily as pope, Pope Leo XIV discussed the extraordinary times he has been elevated to the position and stated that he will take on the role “with fear and trembling,” while still aiming to serve everyone with “faith and joy.”. “.
That homily was delivered during the American pope’s inaugural mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, in St. Vatican’s Peter’s Basilica. Leo had been driven through St. by an open-topped popemobile on Sunday morning. According to the Vatican press office, approximately 100,000 people had gathered in Peter’s sq\. to see him.
In his homily, the pope stated that there is “the economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest, too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, and the fear of difference.”. “..”.
He urged the 11.4 billion Catholics worldwide to adopt a “missionary spirit,” as opposed to isolating themselves “in our small groups.”. He urged the faithful to let go of sentiments of superiority. “.
He stated, “In order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people, we are called to offer God’s love to everyone.”.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among the dignitaries who attended the mass, which officially kicks off Leo’s papacy, along with other political and religious leaders.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were present. The Holy See press office of the Vatican also reported that representatives of the Ecumenical, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain churches were present.
Before the mass, Vance shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The pope had a private audience with Zelenskyy and his spouse in the Vatican, the Vatican announced later on Sunday. According to the Vatican, the pope met with President Dina Boluarte of Peru before the mass.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Leo, now 69, was Cardinal Robert Prevost. He became the first American to serve as the church’s leader after being elected on May 8.
Leo received his Ring of the Fisherman from Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during the event. Throughout his pontificate, Leo will wear that ring, which honors the first pope, Saint Peter.
Following a weeks-long hospital stay, Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, passed away on April 21. In a tribute to him, the recently appointed pope said on Sunday that his passing “filled our hears with sadness.”. “,”.
Additionally, he shared some information about the papal conclave earlier this month, where he was elected.
Leo told the crowd on Sunday that the 133 cardinals in the Sistine Chapel “could feel the working of the Holy Spirit,” saying that the spirit “was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.”. “..”.
“With no merit of my own, I was chosen, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother,” he said, “who wants to be the servant of your joy and your faith, walking with you on the path of God’s love, because he wants us all to be one family.”. “.”.
The crowds in the square and the surrounding streets had grown to about 200,000 by the time the Regina Caeli Prayer was to be recited, which was near the end of the mass, according to the Vatican press office.
Before the prayer began, Leo welcomed the thousands and thanked many of them for traveling great distances for the occasion. He claimed to have “strongly felt the spiritual presence of Pope Francis accompanying us from heaven” during mass. “Support and comfort those who suffer,” he concluded, calling on the faithful. “..”.
“In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war,” he stated. “The elderly, families, and children who are still alive in Gaza are starving to death. New hostilities have claimed the lives of innocent children in Myanmar. At last, war-torn Ukraine awaits talks for a fair and sustainable peace. “,”.
This report was contributed to by Clark Bentson and Megan Forrester of ABC News.
