Pope Leo XIV is set to grace St Peter's Square with his very first Sunday blessing and address today, marking a significant moment since white smoke announced his election. As he recites the Regina Caeli prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Pope Leo symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter. Just yesterday, he honored his late predecessor, Pope Francis, at the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica before visiting a shrine near Rome.
Pope Leo's election crowned him the new leader of the Catholic Church after a two-day conclave, kicking off what has been a busy first week in his papacy. He celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel and held a crucial meeting with cardinals, where he humbly identified himself as an "unworthy choice" while committing to preserving the legacy of Pope Francis. He emphasized the Church's critical role in promoting social justice amidst technology's rapid advancement.
Next Sunday, he will formally take office in a grand mass in St Peter’s Square before a congregation of global dignitaries, which includes his heartfelt message of peace and unity for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the 69-year-old blends American roots with his Peruvian identity, offering a promising blend of continuity with a focus on the marginalized and the environment. In his inaugural words, he expressed a desire to "walk together... searching for peace and justice," signaling a hopeful future for the Church.
Pope Leo's election crowned him the new leader of the Catholic Church after a two-day conclave, kicking off what has been a busy first week in his papacy. He celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel and held a crucial meeting with cardinals, where he humbly identified himself as an "unworthy choice" while committing to preserving the legacy of Pope Francis. He emphasized the Church's critical role in promoting social justice amidst technology's rapid advancement.
Next Sunday, he will formally take office in a grand mass in St Peter’s Square before a congregation of global dignitaries, which includes his heartfelt message of peace and unity for the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, the 69-year-old blends American roots with his Peruvian identity, offering a promising blend of continuity with a focus on the marginalized and the environment. In his inaugural words, he expressed a desire to "walk together... searching for peace and justice," signaling a hopeful future for the Church.
