On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, began his papacy by urging global unity, social justice, and environmental stewardship during his inaugural mass at St. Peter’s Square. The ceremony drew tens of thousands of pilgrims as well as prominent international leaders, including US political figures JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Sixty-nine-year-old Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope just ten days earlier, following a conclave that lasted less than 24 hours. Drawing from his extensive missionary work in Peru, Pope Leo XIV used his first mass to address pressing global challenges such as division, economic exploitation, and environmental degradation. He lamented the continuing conflict and wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of others, and economic systems that deplete natural resources while marginalizing the poorest.

His message resonated with many pilgrims, including Inacia Lisboa, a 71-year-old from Cape Verde living in Rome, who told AFP that the new pope had “already touched my heart” and expressed hope for his prayers for worldwide peace.

The election of an American pope marks a historic milestone both for the Catholic Church and the United States, a nation with significant global influence. The event featured notable American representation, with JD Vance—a convert to Catholicism—and Marco Rubio in attendance. While the pope’s American background has sparked enthusiasm in the US, some international observers have voiced concerns about increased political scrutiny. Sophia Tripp, a student visiting from Chicago, said, “There will be extra scrutiny because he is American, but I hope he unites people. We are all human and should treat each other with kindness.”

The inaugural mass was attended by a host of world leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, and members of European royalty. To ensure safety, Italian authorities deployed thousands of security personnel, including rooftop snipers and anti-drone measures.

Pope Leo XIV accepted his new role with humility, stating, “I was chosen without deserving it, and now, with fear and trembling, I come before you as a brother who wishes to serve your faith and joy.” He began the day with a popemobile procession through the Vatican, blessing the crowds, followed by a visit to Saint Peter’s tomb beneath the basilica. He then received the traditional symbols of his office—the pallium, papal robe, and fisherman’s ring, which he will wear for life.

Succeeding the charismatic Pope Francis, Leo XIV assumes leadership of a Church still confronting the aftermath of clerical abuse scandals and striving to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.