Introduction to Pope Leo XIV

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier, warning of the dangers caused by a lack of faith and hoping the Catholic Church could be a beacon lighting the world’s “dark nights.”

Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost and the first U.S. pope, delivered the Mass in the famous, frescoed chapel with the same cardinals who chose him to be the 267th pontiff and the successor to Pope Francis.

Dressed in relatively simple white and gold vestments, Leo, who was born in Chicago but spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, said a few words in English before continuing his homily in fluent Italian.

First Mass as Pope

Leo spoke off-the-cuff in English in the Sistine Chapel to the cardinals who elected him to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who put a commitment to social justice at the core of his papacy. He acknowledged the great responsibility they had placed on him before delivering a brief but dense homily on the need to joyfully spread Christianity in a world that often mocks it.

“You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel,” he said.

Challenges Facing the Church

The new pope, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, acknowledged that the Christian faith is sometimes “considered absurd” and the preserve of “the weak and unintelligent.”

“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,” he said.

Leo was scheduled to have lunch with the cardinals, and they will then be free to leave the Vatican and return to their homes around the world.

Surprise Election of First American Pope

The pope was elected at the end of a two-day conclave that was wrapped up on Thursday evening when white smoke billowed from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel.

Given the nature of the conclaves, when cardinals are shut away from the world and sworn to secrecy, little or nothing is likely to emerge — at least for now — about how Leo obtained the required two-thirds majority of the vote so swiftly.

Pope Leo XIV conducts Mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, May 9, 2025.(Simone Risoluti / Vatican Media via REUTERS)

Installation and Agenda

Leo will be formally installed as pope at a Mass on May 18, the Vatican said Friday, and will preside over his first general audience May 21.

The successor to Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88, inherits a number of major challenges, ranging from a budget shortfall to divisions over whether the church should be more welcoming towards the LGBTQ community and divorcees, and should let women play a greater role in its affairs.

He will also have a packed agenda, with the Vatican celebrating a Holy Year that brings millions of additional tourists to Rome.

Pope Leo’s Background

Before Leo’s election, U.S. cardinals had largely been written off as papal contenders because of a widespread assumption that the global Church could not be run by a superpower pope.

Pope Leo XIV conducts Mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, May 9, 2025.(Simone Risoluti / Vatican Media via REUTERS)

However, he also holds Peruvian citizenship, meaning that he has deep knowledge of both the West and less developed nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate Leo. However, the new pope has a history of criticizing Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s policies, according to posts on the X account of Robert Prevost.

Conclusion

Pope Leo XIV’s election marks a new era for the Catholic Church, and his commitment to social justice and his experience as a missionary in Peru will likely shape his papacy. As he navigates the challenges facing the Church, he will need to balance the needs of the global community with the traditions and teachings of the Church.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Pope Leo XIV? Pope Leo XIV is the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church and the first American pope.

Q: Where was Pope Leo XIV born? Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Q: What is Pope Leo XIV’s background?