Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s history, officially began his pontificate on Sunday with an inaugural mass at St. Peter’s Square. Addressing a crowd of around 200,000 pilgrims and more than 150 world dignitaries, he called for peace, unity, and openness across religious and political divides.
The mass blended centuries-old rituals with modern diplomatic presence. Among the attendees were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who missed Pope Francis’s funeral last month due to Canada’s federal election. U.S. President Donald Trump was notably absent.
During the ceremony, Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, received the traditional symbols of papal authority: the fisherman’s ring and the pallium, a wool stole representing his role as shepherd of the global Church. His procession through St. Peter’s Square in an electric popemobile was greeted with cheers and chants of “Viva il Papa!”
In his homily, delivered mostly in Italian and Latin, Leo emphasized reconciliation amidst global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. “Too much discord, hatred, and economic exploitation divide us,” he said. “We must walk together—as one family—toward a new world where peace reigns.”
Leo, 69, also acknowledged the interfaith presence at the mass, which included delegations from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain communities. Readings during the ceremony were presented in multiple languages, with massive screens broadcasting the mass to those beyond the basilica.
For many, including American pilgrims and former colleagues from Peru where Leo served as a missionary, the inauguration was a moment of pride. “Having an American pope is incredible,” said Molly Milroy, a Minnesota-based writer wearing a Chicago flag cap.
Canadian Prime Minister Carney, a devout Catholic, praised Leo’s message of unity, posting a photo with the pope and noting on social media that it “inspires the best in us all.” Carney knelt during the Eucharistic blessing and was seen capturing moments on his phone.
The mass was attended by numerous global leaders including Prince Edward of Britain, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Argentine President Javier Milei, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the U.S. government.
Sisters Domenica and Marina Bianchi from Italy’s Bergamo region were among the early arrivals. “Pope Leo might bring people back to the Church,” said Domenica. “Francis was too liberal for many, but Leo’s message feels more grounded.”
As the mass concluded, Leo called on Christians to embrace the Holy Spirit and help build a Church that is open, united, and active in healing a divided world.