Pope Leo XIV held his inaugural mass on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, drawing a massive crowd of about 200,000 faithful.
Riding in the popemobile, the new pontiff greeted the cheering crowd before delivering his first homily inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
During the mass, he called for unity, peace, and a renewed “missionary spirit” among Catholics, urging them not to isolate themselves but to serve others with faith and joy.
He spoke against violence, hatred, and exploitation, and emphasized the need to embrace differences with love and compassion.
Dignitaries present included U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and several world leaders. Pope Leo is expected to meet privately with President Zelenskyy later today.
The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, is the first American to lead the Catholic Church.
He also paid tribute to the late Pope Francis and called for prayers for people suffering in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
