Presiding over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Leo was inaugurated as the first American pope, in a ceremony filled with ancient and symbolic rituals.According to The New York Times, Leo XIV was officially inaugurated as the first American pope on Sunday during a Mass held in St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony was filled with ancient and symbolic rituals, and was attended by world leaders, members of the church hierarchy, and over 100,000 faithful followers.
In his homily, the new pope emphasized the need for unity within the church, recognizing its diversity. He also addressed the divisions within the church between those who want to engage with the modern world and those who prefer a more traditional approach. The cardinals who elected him were looking for a leader who could preserve the rich heritage of the Christian faith while also addressing the challenges of today’s world.
Leo, who holds both American and Peruvian citizenship, humbly acknowledged that he was chosen without any merit of his own and expressed his desire for all members of the church to be united as one family.
This Mass also marked Pope Leo’s first steps into a global role. He met with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, calling for peace in the country and urging the world not to forget those suffering from hunger. Vice President JD Vance, who had a contentious meeting with President Zelensky earlier this year, was also in attendance and briefly shook hands with the Ukrainian leader before the Mass began. After the Mass, Mr. Vance, who is the first Catholic convert to serve as Vice President, had the opportunity to briefly shake hands with the pope along with other dignitaries and royals.
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