Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, pledged unity and peace for the Catholic Church during his inaugural mass at St. Peter’s Square, attended by 200,000 pilgrims and global leaders. The 69-year-old pontiff, an Augustinian missionary, opened his papacy with a popemobile tour, blessing crowds and symbolizing the Church’s global reach. Emotional moments marked the ceremony as Leo received key papal symbols, signaling his commitment to lead the 1.4-billion-member church.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance led the American delegation honoring the Chicago-born pope, with front-row diplomatic seating highlighting Leo’s dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship. Other notable attendees included Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. The mass featured strict protocol and a blend of traditional and modern elements, including Leo’s return to formal papal attire, welcomed by conservatives.
Leo emphasized love and unity as foundations for peace amid global discord, echoing themes from Pope Francis’s tenure while steering a more traditional course. Delegations from various Christian denominations and the Jewish community also participated, reflecting the Church’s outreach efforts.
The ceremony marked a historic moment with new papal rituals and a call for harmony in a polarized world. Thousands gathered, including emotional American pilgrims proud to see one of their own ascend to the papacy.
Source: Swifteradio.com
