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7h ago

Pope Leo XIV Inaugurated as First American Pontiff, Calls for Unity and Global Peace

The historic mass in St. Peter's Square drew 200,000 attendees, including world leaders, as Pope Leo XIV emphasized Church communion and offered Vatican mediation for Ukraine peace talks.

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Pope Leo XIV meets Vice President JD Vance after the formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, was inaugurated in a ceremony steeped in tradition, receiving the papal symbols of the pallium and fisherman’s ring.
  • The inaugural mass in St. Peter’s Square attracted an estimated 200,000 pilgrims and dignitaries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
  • In his homily, Pope Leo XIV called for unity within the Catholic Church and underscored the Church’s role as a force for peace, addressing global conflicts and social injustices.
  • The Vatican has officially offered to host peace talks for Ukraine, reinforcing Pope Leo XIV’s diplomatic focus on fostering reconciliation and dialogue.
  • The dual U.S.-Peruvian citizen and former missionary in Peru takes the helm of the 1.4 billion-member Church, pledging to tackle issues such as environmental exploitation and poverty.