Pope Leo XIV officially began his reign on Sunday by addressing conservatives who felt orphaned under his predecessor, calling for unity, vowing to preserve the legacy of the Catholic Church and not rule like "an autocrat."
After a first drive through a crowd of about 200,000 faithful in St. Peter's Square and the surrounding streets, Leo was officially installed as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church in an outdoor mass.
Well-wishers waved U.S. and Peruvian flags, with people from both countries claiming him as the first pope from their nations. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also holds Peruvian citizenship.
Robert Prevost, who became a cardinal just two years ago, was elected Pope on May 8 after a brief conclave of cardinals that lasted 24 hours.
He succeeded Francis, an Argentine, who died on April 21 after leading the Church for 12 often turbulent years during which he battled traditionalists and defended the poor and marginalized.
In his sermon, read in fluent Italian, Leo said that as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, he would continue Francis' legacy on social issues such as fighting poverty and protecting the environment.
He vowed to confront the "questions, concerns and challenges of today's world" and, in a nod to conservatives, he promised to preserve the "rich heritage of the Christian faith," repeatedly calling for unity.
US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert who clashed with Francis over the White House's hardline immigration policies, led a US delegation along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic.
Vance briefly shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the start of the ceremony. The two men last met in February at the White House, when they clashed bitterly in front of the world's media, writes Reuters.
In a brief homily at the end of the Mass, Leo addressed several global conflicts. He said Ukraine was being “martyred,” a phrase often used by Francis, and called for a “just and lasting peace” there.
He also mentioned the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying people in the Palestinian enclave were "starving."
Among those in the crowd on Sunday were many pilgrims from the US and Peru.
The call for unity
Since becoming Pope, Leo has already signaled several key priorities for his papacy, including a warning about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and the importance of bringing peace to the world and the Church.
Francis' papacy left a divided church, with conservatives accusing him of sowing confusion, particularly with his outspoken remarks on issues of sexual morality, such as same-sex unions.
Saying he was taking on his mission "with fear and trembling," Leo used the words "unity" or "union" seven times on Sunday and the word "harmony" four times.
“It is never about capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by power. On the contrary, it is always and only a matter of love, as Jesus did,” he said, apparently referring to a war of words between Catholics who define themselves as conservatives or progressives.
Conservatives also accused Francis of ruling harshly and complained that he downplayed their concerns and was not consulted widely before making decisions.
Referring to Saint Peter, the 1st-century Christian apostle from whom popes derive their authority, Leo said: “Peter must shepherd the flock without ever giving in to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him. On the contrary, he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters and to walk alongside them.”
