Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV Kickstarts His Papacy with a Unifying Message and International Connections
Pope Leo XIV leads inaugural religious service
In an unexpected turn of events, cardinals have unanimously chosen Robert Francis Prevost as the successor to Pope Francis. A mere day after his election, Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, celebrates his first major mass back at the Sistine Chapel, marking the start of his new journey as the head of the Catholic Church.
Anticipation ran high as the mass before the cardinals could be followed live via streaming. Pope Leo XIV presented himself with a steady confidence, donning a shoulder cape and stole, harkening back to the traditional style of popes in the church's two-thousand-year history. In his inaugural address, he spoke of a church that constantly seeks peace, employing a diplomatic, inclusive approach.
Hailing from the United States but also possessing Peruvian citizenship, Pope Leo XIV served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for many years. His strong international connections made him a formidable candidate among the cardinals. With more than 100,000 people cheering for him, the first American pontiff demonstrated the sense of respect and admiration he has garnered in a short amount of time.
United in Diversity: A Message for the World
Addressing the crowd in both Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural speech from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, emphasizing the need for unity and love as the foundation of his papacy. With a touch of nostalgia, he paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and expressed his fervent hope to continue the work of peace and justice he had begun.
Pope Leo XIV's international connections are evident not only in his ability to speak multiple languages but also in his plans to engage actively with civil and religious leaders globally. By employing a diplomatic approach, he seeks to foster international collaboration and shape the Church's role in global affairs.
The Church under Pope Leo XIV's leadership will build on the foundations laid by Pope Francis, emphasizing social justice, peace, and global outreach. With weekly audiences and teachings, as well as potential changes in Vatican personnel, the new pontiff is poised to make an indelible mark on the international stage.
In closing, Pope Leo XIV's first public appearances and mass underscore a papacy deeply connected to the international community. Through his inclusive leadership style, emphasis on unity, and active involvement with global leaders, Leo XIV cements his role as a pope with significant international influence and impact.
[1] Vatican News. (2025). Pope Leo's inaugural address delivers a message of unity and hope. [online] Available at: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-inaugural-address-delivers-a-message-of-unity-and-hope.html
[2] CNN. (2025). Pope Leo XIV celebrates first mass as Head of the Catholic Church. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/pope-leo-xiv-first-mass/index.html
[3] BBC News. (2025). Pope Leo XIV: The new face of the Catholic Church. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-57115632
- The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, following the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Francis, advocates for a church that is deeply rooted in community policy, employment policy, and politics, aiming to foster global connections and peace.
- In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV, a citizenship holder of both the United States and Peru, paid tributes to Pope Francis and expressed his gratitude to the Catholic community, including heads of states and political leaders across continents who assembled to witness the general-news event.
- Pope Leo XIV, still in the initial stages of his papacy, has shown an intent to promote the importance of unity and diversity, addressing the crowd in both Italian and Spanish, embodying the slogan, "United in Diversity."
- With the Pope's strong emphasis on diplomatic engagement with global leaders and civilians alike, the employment policy within the Vatican is expected to prioritize inclusivity, uplifting the standards of the Catholic Church on the international stage.
