At his inaugural Mass on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV made a heartfelt appeal for a “united Church” as a foundation for global peace, urging the faithful to walk together in love and toward God.

The solemn occasion, held in St. Peter’s Square, marked the official beginning of the 69-year-old Pontiff’s Petrine Ministry.

Before a crowd of hundreds of thousands—including world leaders, pilgrims, and representatives from various Christian traditions—the new Pope emphasized the importance of unity, compassion, and humility.

The Gospel was read in both Latin and Greek, reflecting the Church’s universality and its deep historical roots.

Pope Leo, who arrived by Popemobile, wore traditional liturgical insignia.

Notably, he donned the Papal Pallium, a white woolen band that symbolizes the Pope’s role as shepherd of the faithful, especially the lost, sick, and weak.

He also received the Ring of the Fisherman from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, an emotional moment that visibly moved the newly elected Pope.

The ring, engraved with the image of Saint Peter holding the keys to Heaven and casting a net, serves as a timeless symbol of the Pope’s succession from the Apostle Peter and his spiritual authority over the Church.

In his homily, the former prior general of the Augustinian Order opened with a quote from Saint Augustine’s Confessions: “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

He humbly addressed the congregation:“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I 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.”

Pope Leo underlined that his foremost wish is for a Church united in love and purpose, standing against the “hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference,” and a global economic system that “exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.”

He continued, “We want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world.

We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one.”

This call for unity comes at a time of significant division within the Catholic Church, particularly in the wake of Pope Francis’ papacy.

Pope Francis, who served from 2013 until his death in April, left a legacy marked by progressive stances on social issues, including migration and LGBTQ+ inclusion—stances that drew criticism from conservative circles.

Additionally, controversy persists regarding the Traditional Latin Mass, which was curtailed under his leadership.

Addressing concerns about Church authority and inclusivity, Pope Leo emphasized that Christian leadership must be rooted in love and service rather than power:
“It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power.

Instead, it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did… 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.”

Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural message signals a papacy grounded in humility, reconciliation, and a renewed vision of unity—a hopeful beginning for a Church facing both internal challenges and a rapidly changing world.