Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass, Urges Unity and Renewal

In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope in the Church’s history, presided over his inaugural Mass as the Supreme Pontiff at St. Peter’s Basilica on May 9th. The newly appointed leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics delivered a powerful message of unity, humility, and spiritual renewal, setting the stage for what promises to be a significant pontificate.

The atmosphere in St. Peter’s Basilica was charged with anticipation as the Pope began the Mass. Dignitaries, clergy, and faithful from across the globe gathered to witness the historic event and hear the Pope’s first address to the world as the head of the Catholic Church.

During his homily, delivered in multiple languages, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the critical importance of compassion, forgiveness, and the active role of the Church in addressing the pressing social challenges of today. "We do not come to judge, but to heal," he declared from the high altar, a statement that resonated deeply with the congregation, eliciting a respectful ovation from the faithful and the assembled Cardinals.

This initial public appearance as the leader of the Church not only showcased Pope Leo XIV’s accessible pastoral style but also underscored his unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive Church – one that is deeply connected to the realities of the modern world.

The Pope began his address with a few words in English, before transitioning to Italian. He said: "I will begin with a word in English, and the rest will be in Italian. But I want to repeat the words of the Responsorial Psalm: ‘I will sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.’"

He continued, expressing his gratitude and acknowledging the weight of the responsibility placed upon him. "And in truth, not only with me, but with all of us. My brother Cardinals, as we celebrate this morning, I invite you to recognize the wonders that the Lord has worked, the blessings that he continues to pour out on all of us through the Ministry of Peter. You have called me to bear that cross and to receive that blessed mission, and I know that I can count on each of you to walk with me, as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers who announce the Good News, who proclaim the Gospel."

The Pope then transitioned to Italian, delving deeper into the theological foundations of his papacy and his vision for the Church.

"[Continues in Italian] ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!’ (Mt 16:16). With these words, Peter, questioned by the Master along with the other disciples about their faith in Him, expressed the heritage that the Church, through the apostolic succession, has preserved, deepened, and transmitted for two thousand years. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God: the only Savior, the only one who reveals the face of the Father."

He spoke of God’s revelation in Jesus, emphasizing God’s desire to be close to humanity. "In Him, God, to make Himself near and accessible to men and women, has revealed Himself to us in the trusting gaze of a child, in the lively mind of a young man, and in the mature features of a man (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22), and finally appeared to His disciples after the resurrection with His glorious body. Thus He showed us a model of human holiness that we can all imitate, together with the promise of an eternal destiny that transcends all our limits and capabilities."

Pope Leo XIV further elaborated on Peter’s understanding of both God’s gift and the path to transformation. "Peter, in his response, understands both things: the gift of God and the way to follow to let oneself be transformed by that gift. These are two inseparable aspects of the salvation entrusted to the Church to be proclaimed for the benefit of humanity. In fact, they have been entrusted to us, who were chosen by Him before being formed in the womb (cf. Jr 1:5), reborn in the waters of Baptism and, overcoming our limitations and without any merit on our part, brought here and sent from here so that the Gospel may be announced to every creature (cf. Mc 16:15)."

He directly addressed his new role as successor to Peter. "In a particular way, God has called me through your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles and has entrusted me with this treasure so that, with His help, I may be its faithful administrator (cf. 1 Co 4:2), for the benefit of the entire Mystical Body of the Church. He has done this so that she may be ever more fully a city set on a hill (cf. Ap 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing on the waters of history, and a beacon illuminating the dark nights of the world. And this, not so much because of the magnificence of its structures or the greatness of its buildings—like the monuments among which we find ourselves—but because of the holiness of its members. Because we are the people that God chose as His own, to announce the wonders of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (cf. 1 P 2:9)."

The Pope then reflected on the context of Peter’s profession of faith. "Peter, however, makes his profession of faith in response to a specific question: ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ (Mt 16:13). The question is not insignificant. It refers to an essential aspect of our ministry: the world in which we live, with its limitations and potentialities, its questions and convictions."

He analyzed the differing perceptions of Jesus. "If we reflect on this scene, we could find two possible answers, which characterize two different attitudes. The first is the answer of the world. Matthew tells us that this conversation between Jesus and his disciples took place in the beautiful city of Caesarea Philippi, full of luxurious palaces, situated in a splendid natural landscape at the foot of Mount Hermon, but also the scene of cruel power games, betrayals, and infidelities. This environment tells us of a world that considers Jesus a completely insignificant figure, at most someone with an unusual and striking way of speaking and acting. And so, when his presence becomes annoying because of his demands for honesty and his firm moral demands, that ‘world’ does not hesitate to reject him and eliminate him."

He contrasted this with the view of the common people. "Then there is the other possible answer to Jesus’ question: that of the common people. For them, the Nazarene is not a charlatan, but a just man, with courage, who speaks well and says the right thing, like other great prophets in the history of Israel. That is why they follow him, at least while they can do so without too much risk or discomfort. But for them, he is still just a man, and that is why, in moments of danger, during his passion, they too abandon him and leave disappointed."

The Pope highlighted the relevance of these attitudes in the modern world. "What is striking about these two attitudes is their relevance today. They represent ideas that we could easily find on the lips of many men and women of our time, even if expressed in another language. Even today, there are many contexts in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, suitable for weak or unintelligent people. Other securities are preferred, such as technology, money, success, power, or pleasure. These are environments where it is not easy to preach the Gospel or to bear witness to its truth, where believers are the object of mockery, opposition, contempt, or, at best, tolerated with condescension. However, precisely for this reason, they are places where our evangelizing mission is desperately needed. The lack of faith is often accompanied by a tragic loss of the meaning of life, the neglect of mercy, atrocious violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family, and many other wounds that affect our society."

He added, "Also today, in many environments, Jesus—although appreciated as a man—is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This happens not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who end up living, in practice, a functional atheism."

Pope Leo XIV then reiterated the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel. "This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis has so often taught us, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Savior. Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (Mt 16:16). It is essential to do so, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily path of conversion. Then, as a Church, living together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all (cf. Lumen Gentium, 1)."

Finally, he concluded with a personal reflection. "I say this, first of all, for myself, as Successor of Peter, beginning my mission as Bishop of Rome and, according to the well-known expression of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, called to preside in charity over the universal Church (cf. Letter to the Romans, Prologue). Saint Ignatius, led chained to this city, place of his imminent sacrifice, wrote to the Christians here: ‘Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body’ (Letter to the Romans, IV, 1). Ignatius spoke of being devoured by beasts in the amphitheater—and so it happened—but his words apply more generally to a commitment indispensable for all who exercise a ministry of authority in the Church: to disappear so that Christ may remain, to become small so that He may be known and glorified (cf. Jn 3:30), to give oneself completely so that everyone may have the opportunity to know Him and love Him. May God grant me this grace, today and always, through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church."

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass as Pope was a resounding success, setting a clear tone for his papacy and solidifying his role as a leader dedicated to unity, humility, and spiritual renewal within the Catholic Church. His words resonated with Catholics worldwide, and his commitment to addressing modern challenges with compassion and understanding has sparked hope for a revitalized and inclusive Church. The world now watches with anticipation as Pope Leo XIV embarks on his journey as the leader of the Catholic faith.