
Pope Leo XIV formally began his papacy on Sunday with a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Square, drawing an estimated 100,000 faithful and dignitaries from around the world. The newly elected pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, received the fisherman’s ring and pallium — traditional symbols of the papal office — in a ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition.
Prevost, 69, a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, previously served as a missionary and bishop in Peru before rising within the Vatican ranks. Among the high-profile attendees were U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, representing their respective nations. Delegations from approximately 150 countries were present, including Brazil and Paraguay.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for unity within the Catholic Church and warned against economic systems that, he said, “plunder the earth and cast aside the poor.” The remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled critique of U.S. economic policy under former President Donald Trump. Leo XIV, seen as a moderate voice, is expected to continue the social justice emphasis of his predecessor, Pope Francis, while seeking to reconcile divisions between progressive and conservative factions in the Church.
Acknowledging internal debates on issues such as sexual ethics and the role of women in the Church, the pontiff struck a tone of humility and inclusion, urging Catholics to find common ground through shared faith.
The inauguration also served as a backdrop for diplomatic overtures. Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin hand-delivered a letter from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, inviting the pope to attend the COP30 United Nations Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, in 2026. The letter also noted the upcoming 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the Holy See. During his Vatican visit, Alckmin met with Brazilian cardinals and the Holy See’s top foreign affairs official at Brazil’s embassy, praising the pope’s commitment to peace and environmental stewardship.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and First Lady Leticia Ocampos also met briefly with the pope following the ceremony. Peña highlighted his nation’s devotion to the Virgin of Caacupé and extended a formal invitation for a papal visit, which Pope Leo XIV welcomed with enthusiasm.
Peña’s presence came amid criticism at home over his absence from Pope Francis’ funeral last month, due to a previously scheduled 11-day trip to the United States.
Pope Leo XIV begins his tenure at a moment of both opportunity and challenge, with expectations high for healing rifts within the Church and addressing pressing global issues through the lens of Catholic teaching.