- Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost took his first mass in The Vatican
- Pope Leo XIV wants the church to combat a “lack of faith”
- Leo XIV is believed to be progressive on several social issues
Less than 24 hours after being elected as the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV took his first mass at The Vatican.
The former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first American Pope in history and has today been calling upon the Catholic Church to combat a “lack of faith”.
The 267th Pope took mass at The Vatican, where he warned of people turning away from the church and towards “technology, money, success, power, or pleasure”.
“The Faithful Administrator”
Describing himself as a “faithful administrator”, Pope Leo XIV said the church would act as a “beacon that illuminates the dark nights of this world”.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV began his first homily with words in English during Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the College of Cardinals. pic.twitter.com/BgiwQS8U8f
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 9, 2025
In an address delivered in Italian, the new Pope said, “A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.”
Pope Leo XIV Calls For “Dialogue. Always In Peace”
Before the homily, in an unscripted moment, Pope Leo also called for unity between his Cardinals, saying, “I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me”.
Pope Leo XIV at his first Mass: “Even today there are many settings where the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent, settings where other securities are preferred; technology, money, success, power and pleasure. These are context where it is… pic.twitter.com/sx1kUEyjEB
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 9, 2025
Pope Leo, who served as a missionary in Peru for over 20 years and gained nationality in the South American country, called for peace during his address at St.Peter’s Basilica yesterday, saying, “Help us, and each other, to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, to come together as one people, always in peace.”
Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, the former Cardinal served as an altar boy in his home city of Chicago and was ordained in 1982. Three years later he moved to Peru to carry out missionary work. Prevost did return home regularly, however, to serve as a pastor in Chicago.
In January 2023 Prevost became an archbishop and soon after was made a Cardinal by Pope Francis. He had already been made bishop of Chiclayo in Peru by Francis in 2014.
As has been reported across social media, Pope Leo XIV has previously shared articles and posts that have been critical of US President Donald Trump as well as Vice President JD Vance.
(H/T BBC)
