Pope Leo XIV officially commenced his role as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Sunday, using his inaugural Mass to address existing divisions within the Church. His central message was a plea for fraternal communion and unity among all members.

A Call for Unity

Speaking to an estimated 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding areas, the 69-year-old pontiff, who was elected May 8, articulated his primary aspiration:

I would like that our first grate desire be for a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.

Addressing Internal Divisions

The pontificate of Pope Francis saw the Church grapple with internal disagreements, notably concerning liturgical practices and moral doctrines related to sexuality and family life. This included the controversial approval of blessings for same-sex couples, which stirred debate among the faithful.

A Brother Among Believers

During the Mass, which was concelebrated with the College of cardinals, Pope Leo XIV emphasized his desire to serve the Church with humility and compassion.

Come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.

Emphasis on Collegiality

From the outset of his papacy, Leo XIV has signaled a commitment to collegiality, highlighting the importance of shared governance and dialog within the Church. His initial address to the world on May 8, following his election, underscored the theme of walking together as a united Church. he also convened an early meeting with cardinals, encouraging them to voice their concerns-a practice that had been less frequent sence 2014.

Shepherding Without Autocracy

Reflecting on the responsibilities of the Pope as the successor of St. Peter, leo XIV stressed the need for servant leadership.

If the rock is Christ, Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him.

Attendance and Depiction

the Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, held May 18, drew hundreds of religious and international leaders, as well as dignitaries representing nearly 200 foreign delegations. Notable attendees included U.S. vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco rubio.

The Conclave and the Future

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the process by which he was chosen as the 267th pope, highlighting the cardinal electors’ commitment to selecting a leader capable of both preserving tradition and addressing contemporary challenges.

Coming from different backgrounds and experiences, we [the cardinal electors] placed in God’s hands our desire to elect the new successor of Peter, the bishop of Rome, a shepherd capable of preserving the rich heritage of the Christian faith and, at the same time, looking to the future, in order to confront the questions, concerns, and challenges of today’s world.

Love and Unity: The Core Mission

The pontiff emphasized the foundational principles of his papacy:

Love and unity: These are the two dimensions of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.

Inspired by St. Augustine

Drawing inspiration from St. Augustine,whose teachings influenced the religious Order of St. Augustine to which he belongs, Pope Leo XIV articulated a vision of the Church as a community of harmony and love.

The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and sisters and who love their neighbor.

A Leaven of Unity

Acknowledging the divisions and wounds present in the world, the pope expressed his aspiration for the Church to serve as a catalyst for reconciliation.

For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world.

Symbols of the Papacy

Before delivering his homily, Pope Leo XIV received the pallium and the fisherman’s ring, potent symbols of papal authority and duty. the ceremony included acts of obedience and fidelity from representatives of the College of Cardinals and the broader Church community.

The Pallium

The pallium, a band of white lamb’s wool adorned with black flaps and three pins symbolizing the nails of Christ’s cross, was draped over his shoulders.It symbolizes the bishop as the good shepherd and Christ the lamb sacrificed for humanity.

The Fisherman’s Ring

The gold fisherman’s ring, an emblem of papal authority for over a millennium, bears the image of St. peter with the keys and fisherman’s net, representing his role as a “fisher of men,” as commissioned by Jesus.

The Rite of Investiture

Following the sung proclamation of the Gospel in Latin and Greek, which recounted Jesus’s questioning of Peter’s love and his command to “feed my lambs” and “tend my sheep,” Cardinal Dominique Mamberti placed the pallium around Pope Leo XIV’s shoulders. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu recited a prayer. With evident emotion, Leo received the fisherman’s ring from Cardinal Luis Tagle, pausing to contemplate the ring before lifting his gaze in prayer.

Personal Touches

Engraved on the inside of the ring are Pope Leo XIV’s papal name and elements from his coat of arms: the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing purity and the Virgin Mary, and a pierced heart, the traditional emblem of the Augustinian order.

First Papal Ride

Prior to the Mass, Pope Leo XIV greeted the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square and along Via Conciliazione from the popemobile.

Procession and Prayer

The inaugural rite commenced with pope Leo XIV praying at the tomb of St. Peter alongside the cardinals, followed by a solemn procession through St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Peter’s Square.

Marian Devotion

An image of Our Mother of Good counsel from the Italian Sanctuary of Genazzano, which Pope Leo XIV visited shortly after his election, was placed to the left of the altar.

The Hour for Love

In his homily,Pope Leo XIV proclaimed:

This is the hour for love! The heart of the gospel is the love of God that makes us brothers and sisters.With my predecessor Leo XIII, we can ask ourselves today: If this criterion ‘were to prevail in the world, would not every conflict cease and peace return?’ (Rerum Novarum, 21).

Building a Church on Love

The Pope called for a renewed commitment to building a Church founded on divine love.

With the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit, let us build a church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made ‘restless’ by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity.

Appeal for Peace

At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Leo XIV appealed for “a just and lasting peace” globally, with specific mention of Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. He then lead the congregation in singing the Regina Caeli, a Marian antiphon for the Easter season.

Ecumenical and Interfaith Presence

The inaugural Mass was attended by a diverse array of religious representatives,including leaders from Muslim,Hindu,Buddhist,Sikh,Zoroastrianism,and jainism communities. Approximately 36 different Christian churches and organizations were represented, with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Patriarch theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem among the attendees. Jewish leaders from Italy, Israel, and the United States, including the head rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, were also present.