In brief
Pope Leo XIV emphasizes peace and inclusion as he assumes leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, surrounded by global dignitaries.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, held his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, attracting tens of thousands of worshippers. The event marked the official beginning of Leo's papacy, as he becomes the spiritual leader of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. Dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, were present to witness the historic moment, which unfolded under the warm Roman sun.During his address, Pope Leo XIV took a page from the teachings of his late predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April, by advocating for peace in conflict-ridden regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. As the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, he emphasized a renewed commitment to evangelization and inclusivity within the church community. "The aim is never to win over anyone through force or manipulation, but rather by extending love," he stated in his sermon.Among the global leaders present were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The pope greeted various dignitaries, including Vance and Zelensky, both of whom he was scheduled to meet later that day.Vance's attendance at the event signals a possible reconciliation between the papacy and conservative factions in the United States, especially after his recent meeting with Pope Francis, during which their theological disagreements were highlighted. On this occasion, he greeted a new papal leader who is perceived to align more closely with his views, despite previous criticisms made under a now-deleted social media post linked to the pontiff's name.
