On Sunday, May 18, Pope Leo XIV officially began his role as the new Pope during a special Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. Over 200,000 people gathered to witness this important moment, including world leaders and representatives from many religions, according to Vatican News. Religious leaders from Christian churches, as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain traditions, were present at the ceremony.  A Heart Full of Thanks Pope Leo XIV thanked everyone warmly for their support and prayers. Speaking about the time after Pope Francis passed away, he said, “We fel

On Sunday, May 18, Pope Leo XIV officially began his role as the new Pope during a special Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. Over 200,000 people gathered to witness this important moment, including world leaders and representatives from many religions, according to Vatican News. Religious leaders from Christian churches, as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain traditions, were present at the ceremony.  A Heart Full of Thanks Pope Leo XIV thanked everyone warmly for their support and prayers. Speaking about the time after Pope Francis passed away, he said, “We felt like sheep without a shepherd… yet having received his final blessing on Easter Sunday, we remembered how the Lord never abandons His people.” He also shared how the cardinals felt the Holy Spirit guiding them during the election. " The Holy Spirit brought us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody,” the Pope said. A Pope for All People Pope Leo spoke humbly about his new role. "I was chosen, without any merit of my own,” he said. "I come to you as a brother… walking with you on the path of God’s love.” He reminded the crowd that Jesus asked Peter to love and care for others, and that this is the mission of the Church today. “The ministry of Peter is… self-sacrificing love,” he said. “It is never about using force or power. It is always and only about loving as Jesus did.” A Message of Unity Pope Leo encouraged the Church to be a sign of unity and peace in today’s troubled world. "We want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world,” he said, noting the many problems people face such as hate, violence, fear, and poverty. He invited everyone to follow Jesus together. “Look to Christ! Come closer to him!” he said. “In the one Christ, we are one.” A Mission for the World Pope Leo reminded Christians not to close themselves off or think they are better than others. “We are called to offer God’s love to everyone,” he said. “Unity does not cancel out our differences. It values the story and culture of every person.” He ended the Mass with a powerful message: “This is the hour for love! The heart of the Gospel is the love of God that makes us brothers and sisters.” Moving Forward Together Finally, Pope Leo asked everyone to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to build a Church based on love. “Let us walk towards God and love one another,” he said. " Together, as one people, as brothers and sisters.”

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