In a historic event on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square, marking the official commencement of his papacy as the first American pontiff. The ceremony attracted tens of thousands of attendees, including global leaders like Vice President JD Vance and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, all gathered under the warm Roman sun.
During the Mass, Pope Leo emphasized the need for peace in troubled regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. Echoing the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April, Leo expressed a dedication to the Church’s mission of evangelization. He highlighted that spreading faith should not involve force or coercion but should be rooted in love and inclusion.
Notable dignitaries, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Ministers from Canada and Australia, witnessed the historic event. The day also served as a potential turning point in relationships between conservative American Catholics and the papacy, as Mr. Vance had met with Pope Francis shortly before the inauguration, where tensions were evident. Leo’s leadership is seen as aligning more closely with contemporary conservative Catholic beliefs.
