Pope Leo XIV made history on Thursday, May 8, 2025, as the first pope from the United States ever elected to the Chair of St. Peter. Formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, he took the name Leo XIV and promptly delivered an inspiring first address from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. In this moving speech, he openly embraced his new role as the Successor of Peter with a humble and powerful message that spoke directly to the hearts of all who listened. The entire address resonated with a resounding call for unity, peace, dialogue, and missionary resolve in the footsteps of Christ, emphasizing the universal love of God for all humanity.
Pope Leo XIV set the tone by invoking the same greeting first offered by Jesus Christ following the Resurrection:
Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
With these words, the Holy Father highlighted the unbreakable link between Christ’s triumph over death and the Church’s mission to spread peace. This message also firmly reiterates the Church’s pro-Christian stance, offering hope and solace to believers around the world. He continued:
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.
In recalling the words of Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful of the longstanding tradition of blessing Rome and the world, now entrusted to him. His next words emphasized reliance on divine providence and pointed to the fact that, no matter what earthly trials the faithful endure, “evil will not prevail” because “we are all in the hands of God.” He urged Catholics worldwide to go forward “without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves.” This bold call to trust in God’s loving guidance is a cornerstone of the Christian message.
As a member of the Augustinian order, Pope Leo XIV also recalled the famous reflection of Saint Augustine:
He said, ‘With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.’ So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.
By quoting St. Augustine, he underscored his pastoral commitment as pope and his solidarity with the faithful. For Pope Leo XIV, striving together in unity as “disciples of Christ” does not stop at the Church’s door. Rather, believers are called to rays of hope for the entire world, actively extending dialogue and goodwill across all boundaries:
You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.
These qualities — dialogue, encounter, unity — help define the missionary Church that Pope Leo XIV envisions. As the new Bishop of Rome, he extended “a special greeting” to the local Church, inviting everyone to look at “how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone.” The Holy Father’s words not only apply universally but also serve as a clarion call for every parish community to open its doors wide in invitation.
Switching briefly to Spanish, Pope Leo XIV greeted those of his former Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. His gratitude toward them and recognition of their “loyal, faithful” support further demonstrated his personal warmth and love for all people. Returning to Italian, he expressed the need for the entire Church to become ever more synodal — “walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.”
Fittingly, Pope Leo XIV ended his address by invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mentioning that it was “the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei,” and reminding everyone of Mary’s close, motherly guidance. He prayed:
Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.
The final note of his speech was a united “Hail Mary,” a humble yet strong testimony to the pro-Christianity emphasis woven throughout his papal ministry. In one brief yet profound address, Pope Leo XIV established the pillars of his future pontificate: unwavering trust in God, firm commitment to Christ’s peace and love, dedication to bridge-building through dialogue, and reverence for Mary as the Mother of the Church.
As the first Pope from the United States, he inherits a vast tapestry of Catholic tradition but also injects fresh energy into the universal Church. His emphasis on global unity, dialogue, synodality, and mission stands as a clarion call to Catholics everywhere. In an increasingly fragmented world, Pope Leo XIV’s message offers renewed hope and vibrant encouragement to all who yearn for deeper communion with God and one another. His heartfelt reminder that “we are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light” remains a timely summons to stand firm in faith, united in love, and dedicated to the Gospel truth.
Leave a Reply