Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pontiff/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, celebrated his inaugural Mass, calling his role a “cross and a blessing.” Speaking to cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, he emphasized unity, social justice, and a commitment to the Gospel. His early gestures suggest continuity with Pope Francis’ progressive legacy.
Pope Leo XIV’s First Mass Quick Looks
- Leo XIV becomes the first U.S.-born pontiff in Catholic history.
- Celebrates first Mass, calling papacy both a “cross and a blessing.”
- Emphasizes unity, Gospel mission, and joy in evangelization.
- Mass held in Sistine Chapel where he was elected.
- Two women read Scripture, indicating support for women’s roles.
- Wears simple black shoes, echoing Francis’ humility.
- Urges faith amid a secular world and “practical atheism.”
- Named after Leo XIII, linking to social justice legacy.
- Expected to continue Pope Francis’ reforms and priorities.
- First public appearances include blessing, media audience, and potential trip to Turkey.
Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass as Pontiff
Deep Look
Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass, Emphasizes Gospel, Unity, and Humility as First American Pontiff
VATICAN CITY — In a moment steeped in history and symbolism, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated his inaugural Mass as pontiff on Friday. Speaking inside the Sistine Chapel, where just a day earlier he was elected by fellow cardinals, Leo described his new role as both a divine mission and a profound burden—“a cross and a blessing.”
Delivering his remarks in English, Pope Leo addressed the cardinals who had entrusted him with the papacy, urging them to walk with him as a unified Church. “You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission,” he said. “We continue as a church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, to announce the good news.”
Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago and an Augustinian missionary with deep roots in Peru, represents a blend of North American leadership and Latin American pastoral experience. His election broke the long-standing unwritten rule against selecting a pope from the United States, a country often viewed with political and economic dominance in global affairs. Vatican watchers say his selection was a strategic move to heal growing ideological divides within the Church, particularly in the U.S., where tension between conservative and progressive Catholics has deepened in recent years.
The Mass was filled with symbolic cues that hint at Leo’s vision for the papacy. Two women were selected to deliver the readings—a nod to Pope Francis’ efforts to expand women’s participation in Church life. Leo himself implemented this reform when, as a cardinal, he appointed three women to the Vatican body responsible for evaluating bishop nominations.
Speaking in fluent Italian during the homily, Leo lamented how Christianity has been marginalized in many parts of the world. He decried a culture that treats Jesus as merely a charismatic figure, rather than the Son of God. “This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians,” he said, warning of a “state of practical atheism” that contributes to societal wounds including broken families, neglect of mercy, and the erosion of human dignity.
The Mass concluded with applause from the cardinals, and Pope Leo was seen wearing simple black shoes—a deliberate continuation of Pope Francis’ understated style, eschewing the traditional red footwear favored by some earlier popes.
The Vatican later announced that Leo had asked all senior Church officials to remain in their roles temporarily, pending further decisions. Technically, their positions were vacated upon Pope Francis’ death on April 21, but Leo is expected to conduct a careful review before confirming or reassigning key personnel.
Leo’s path to the papacy was quietly shaped by Pope Francis, who entrusted him with major responsibilities. After appointing him to oversee a complex diocese in Peru, Francis brought Prevost to Rome in 2023 to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops—a powerful post with global influence.
Even before his elevation, Leo had gained a reputation as a humble and deeply spiritual leader. “Even the bishops of Peru called him the saint of the north,” said Rev. Alexander Lam, a fellow Augustinian friar. “He had time for everyone.”
His chosen papal name—Leo XIV—invokes the legacy of Leo XIII, an intellectual reformer who led the Church from 1878 to 1903 and is credited with laying the groundwork for Catholic social teaching. Leo XIII’s encyclical on labor rights and capitalism remains one of the Church’s most influential modern texts. Vatican News emphasized this connection, suggesting the new pope’s priorities align with those of his reformist predecessor and with Francis’ own agenda.
Leo XIV is also the first pope from the Augustinian order, further connecting him to a lineage of contemplative, socially engaged Catholicism. Leo XIII himself had close ties to the order and restored an Augustinian convent that remains active today.
Church scholars interpret Leo’s election and name choice as a deliberate message. “He is continuing a lot of Francis’ ministry,” said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan University. “This could reshape how American Catholicism is viewed in Rome.”
Leo himself has previously warned against Church polarization. In a 2023 interview, he described ideological rifts as “a wound that must be healed,” emphasizing the role of bishops in fostering unity and communion.
His brother, John Prevost, shared personal insights into the new pope’s character. “He’s not going to be real far left or real far right,” he said. “Kind of right down the middle.” He also revealed a lighter side of Leo, noting his fondness for Wordle and deep concern for the marginalized.
In his first hours as pope, Leo returned to his former apartment to greet colleagues, taking selfies and offering hugs. Vatican cameras captured him praying quietly in the Pauline Chapel moments after his election, before stepping onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to greet a cheering crowd with the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.
Looking ahead, Leo is scheduled to deliver his first public Sunday blessing from the loggia this weekend. He will also hold a media audience on Monday. His first potential foreign trip could take place at the end of May, with Turkey extending an invitation to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea—a landmark event in Church history and a vital step in Catholic-Orthodox dialogue.
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, he carries with him the legacy of two continents and the hope of unifying a global Church divided by ideology but united in faith.
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