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Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, achieved a historic milestone on Thursday, May 8, with his election as the first American Pope. The Chicago-born leader, who dedicated numerous years to missionary work in Peru, greeted the enthusiastic crowd from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing them in both Spanish and Italian.
On Friday morning, Pope Leo delivered his first mass as the Pontiff.
Clad in a white robe adorned with a gold border, a tall white miter, and holding a gold crucifix, Pope Leo gave his initial homily. He addressed the cardinals who had elected him the previous day, speaking in his native English, as well as Latin and Italian.
Leo described his appointment as Pope as both a challenge and a gift, emphasizing the shared duty of himself and the cardinals to promote Christianity in a world that sometimes scorns faith.
“You have called me to shoulder this burden and be blessed with this purpose, and I am confident I can count on each of you to join me as we continue as a church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to share the good news, to proclaim the Gospel,” the new Bishop of Rome said in English.
He cautioned against “practical atheism” among Christians who view Jesus as merely a “charismatic leader” rather than the savior, and he also lauded the late Pope Francis, highlighting his predecessor’s emphasis on missionary work as a leader.
Concluding his homily, Pope Leo XIV chose to concentrate on humility within the Vatican’s leadership and the priesthood, quoting St. Ignatius of Antioch: “Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body.”
Leo stated that this quote is applicable to Church leadership, stressing that Cardinals must “step aside so that Christ may remain,” and should make themselves “small so that he may be known.” The reminder of the importance of humility mirrors the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
While this marked Leo’s inaugural mass as head of the Catholic Church, it was limited to the 132 cardinals who elected him as Pontiff. On May 18, Leo will give a speech that will be open to a broader audience.
