VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV officially began his pontificate on Sunday, with an inaugural Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, delivering a powerful message of unity, love, and mission before a crowd of over 100,000 pilgrims, dignitaries, and religious leaders.
The Vatican News reported that the mass “marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church, drawing representatives from various Christian denominations and major world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.”
Expressing deep gratitude for the prayers and support he received following the death of Pope Francis, Pope Leo said the Church felt “like sheep without a shepherd.”
“Following the death of Pope Francis, we felt like sheeps without a shepherd,” he recalled, “yet having received his final blessing on Easter Sunday, and with eyes of faith, hope, and joy, we remembered how the Lord never abandons His people,” highlighting the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the recent conclave that elected him.
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, trembling with fear,” he said. “I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family,” he added.
He emphasized that the mission of the papacy is rooted in self-giving love, not in power or dominance, and called on the faithful to embrace the example of Jesus in serving others. “The Church’s authority is the charity of Christ. It is always about loving as Jesus did,” he stressed.
Addressing global challenges such as violence, inequality, and environmental degradation, Pope Leo urged the Church to be a sign of communion and peace, and to work with all people of goodwill to build a reconciled world.
“In the face of a world marked by so much discord and wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear, and economic reality that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world,” he stressed
“We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one,” he urged the public.
“This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!” he added.
The Pope concluded by calling for a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, rooted in unity and driven by compassion. (Vatican News)