Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first mass on Friday within the Sistine Chapel, the place he was elected lower than 24 hours earlier, warning of the risks brought on by a scarcity of religion and hoping the Catholic Church could possibly be a beacon lighting the world’s “darkish nights.”
Leo, the previous Cardinal Robert Prevost and the primary U.S. pope, appeared calm as he delivered the mass within the well-known frescoed chapel with the identical cardinals who selected him to be the 267th pontiff and the successor to Pope Francis.
Wearing comparatively easy white and gold vestments, Leo, who was born in Chicago however spent 20 years as a missionary in Peru, mentioned just a few phrases in English earlier than persevering with his homily in fluent Italian.
Within the homily, Leo, 69, painted an image of the Church he want to see, saying he would search to function the “devoted administrator” for the Church as an entire.
Pope Leo XIV was launched to cheering crowds in St. Peter’s Sq., however the brand new pontiff must face a number of challenges, from the monetary points surrounding the Vatican to a church that is still divided over whether or not and the way a lot it wants to alter.
“You’ve got known as me to hold that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I do know I can depend on each one in every of you to stroll with me as we proceed as a church, as a neighborhood, as pals of Jesus, as believers, to announce the excellent news, to announce the Gospel,” he mentioned.
The brand new pope, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics around the globe, acknowledged the Christian religion is usually “thought of absurd” and the protect of “the weak and unintelligent.”
“A scarcity of religion is commonly tragically accompanied by the lack of which means in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the disaster of the household and so many different wounds that afflict our society,” he mentioned.
Elected on the finish of a two-day conclave that was wrapped up on Thursday night when white smoke billowed from the chimney on the chapel, Leo was scheduled to have lunch with the cardinals. They are going to then be free to depart the Vatican and return to their properties around the globe.
Inauguration to happen subsequent Sunday
The Vatican laid out extra particulars of Leo’s early papacy in statements on Friday.
Leo’s formal inauguration mass to mark his appointment will happen in St. Peter’s Sq. on Sunday, Could 18, and he’ll maintain his first basic viewers three days later.
As nicely, Leo has confirmed all prime Vatican officers of their present roles on a brief foundation.
All Vatican senior officers, appointed for five-year phrases, serve on the pleasure of the pope. A brand new pontiff normally rolls over current mandates, a minimum of initially, earlier than deciding whether or not to alter key positions.
Father Rob Hagan, a buddy of Pope Leo XIV, shares with The Nationwide’s Adrienne Arsenault his reflections on the brand new chief’s character and their longtime friendship.
Peruvians have fun
The successor to Pope Francis, who died final month on the age of 88, inherits a variety of main challenges, starting from a finances shortfall to divisions over whether or not the Church ought to be extra welcoming towards the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and the divorced, and whether or not ladies play a higher function in its affairs.
He may also have a packed agenda, with the Vatican celebrating a Holy Yr that brings thousands and thousands of further vacationers to Rome.
One of many clues to what sort of a pacesetter Leo shall be was in his alternative of identify, one thing that pontiffs usually use to ship a sign concerning the priorities of their new papacy.
The final pope with this identify was Leo XIII, who led the Church from 1878 to 1903. He was identified for his devoted focus to social justice points, and is commonly credited with laying the muse for contemporary Catholic social instructing.
Prevost turned a cardinal solely in 2023.
Francis introduced him to Rome two years in the past to go the Vatican workplace in control of selecting which clergymen ought to function Catholic bishops throughout the globe, which means he has had a hand in choosing most of the world’s bishops.
The brand new pope labored for many years within the north of Peru, first as a missionary and later as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. Catholics took to the streets of the small metropolis in northwestern Peru, and church bells rang out to have fun the election of a person who they embrace as one in every of their very own.
Pope Leo XIV’s election sparked celebration within the U.S. — however previous criticisms of President Donald Trump trace at doable tensions forward. His name for unity stands in stark distinction to the divided political panorama in his residence nation.
Given the character of the conclaves, when cardinals are shut away from the world and sworn to secrecy, it’s going to stay an open query for now how Leo obtained the required two-thirds majority of the vote. Previously, particulars have leaked out, as in 2013, when it was revealed that Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouelette acquired important help in early ballots earlier than Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elevated, selecting his papal identify in honour of St. Francis of Assisi.
U.S. President Donald Trump was fast to congratulate Leo. Nevertheless, posts on the X account of Robert Prevost have retweeted criticisms of present U.S. immigration coverage.
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