Pope Leo XIV Calls for Unity and Peace in Historic Inaugural Mass

In a vibrant St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, delivered a stirring inaugural mass that echoed with calls for unity and peace. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary addressed a crowd of 200,000, weaving a vision of a united Catholic Church as a beacon of hope in a fractured world.

During his homily, Leo XIV spoke with clarity and conviction: "Let our first great desire be a united church, a sign of communion that fosters a reconciled world." His words come at a time when the Church, particularly in the United States, grapples with deep polarization, making his plea for harmony all the more poignant.

The pope didn’t shy away from global realities, decrying the "wounds caused by hatred, violence, and an economic system that exploits the Earth and marginalizes the poorest." He prayed for those suffering in war-torn regions like Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine, urging the faithful to remember their plight. His Regina Caeli prayer was a heartfelt cry for compassion amidst chaos.

Adding a touch of nostalgia, Leo XIV shared that he felt the "spiritual presence of Pope Francis" guiding him. He concluded by entrusting his ministry to the Virgin Mary, invoking her as "Star of the Sea and Our Lady of Good Counsel" to intercede for peace and strength.

The pontiff sealed the day with a popemobile tour through the piazza, a symbolic gesture of his global outreach. With this debut, Leo XIV signals a papacy rooted in unity, empathy, and a bold stand against division.