On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV made history by inaugurating his papacy in St. Peter's Square, where he emphasized love over force in evangelization, while also addressing pressing global conflicts.
**Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass: A New Era for the Catholic Church**
**Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass: A New Era for the Catholic Church**
Celebrating his first Mass as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV addresses urgent global issues and seeks to unite the Catholic community.
In a historic moment for the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, conducted his inaugural Mass on Sunday, May 18, 2025, amid a throng of tens of thousands gathered at St. Peter’s Square. Among the notable attendees were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and leaders from around the globe, including President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. This Mass marked the formal commencement of Leo’s papacy, leading a community of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
In his remarks, the Pope drew on themes from the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2025. He advocated for peace in war-torn regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. Leo emphasized the Catholic Church's mission of evangelization, endorsing an inclusive approach that aims to embrace diverse voices within the Church. "It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power, but through love," he asserted.
The attendance of Vice President JD Vance, who has previously faced criticism from Pope Francis regarding his theological stance and immigration policies, is viewed as a potential turning point. Vance previously met with the late Pope, which helped frame his current visit as indicative of a renewed rapport with the papacy, as Leo appears to resonate more closely with some of the conservative points raised within American Catholicism. This evolving dynamic raises questions on how Leo's leadership may shape discussions surrounding faith, politics, and social ethics in the United States and beyond.
As Leo XIV navigates his tenure, the world watches closely how he will intertwine the church's universal mission with the pressing challenges facing society today.
In his remarks, the Pope drew on themes from the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2025. He advocated for peace in war-torn regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. Leo emphasized the Catholic Church's mission of evangelization, endorsing an inclusive approach that aims to embrace diverse voices within the Church. "It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power, but through love," he asserted.
The attendance of Vice President JD Vance, who has previously faced criticism from Pope Francis regarding his theological stance and immigration policies, is viewed as a potential turning point. Vance previously met with the late Pope, which helped frame his current visit as indicative of a renewed rapport with the papacy, as Leo appears to resonate more closely with some of the conservative points raised within American Catholicism. This evolving dynamic raises questions on how Leo's leadership may shape discussions surrounding faith, politics, and social ethics in the United States and beyond.
As Leo XIV navigates his tenure, the world watches closely how he will intertwine the church's universal mission with the pressing challenges facing society today.
