Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural homily as leader of the Catholic Church on Friday morning, discussing the challenges of guiding faith in a world that often views it as “absurd” or “weak.”
Previously known as Robert F., Cardinal Leo XIII, he is noted as the first Bible-born Pope from America in the church’s history, which was founded by Jesus Christ and led by the apostle Peter. He was selected to succeed Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
The Pope made his debut as a Roman bishop at St. Peter’s Square on Thursday, delivering a brief message of gratitude following the appearance of white smoke from the Vatican. In this address, he prayed for wisdom, referencing his experiences as bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, and spoke to his former parishioners in Spanish.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass on Friday, delivering a homily that addressed the ongoing challenges of missionary work, particularly in a world that tends to underestimate the significance of Christian faith. He opened his homily in his native English, marking his first public use of the language since becoming Pope.
He suggested that many Christians often perceive Jesus more like a “superman” rather than as a genuine child of God, which can weaken their faith and disconnect them from practice.
In the initial segment of his homily, he spoke about the struggles of his predecessor, Peter, who sought to spread faith globally and organized the early church, pondering Peter’s question, “Who is the son of man?”
“This issue is significant. It relates to core aspects of our mission: the world we inhabit, its limitations and possibilities, its inquiries and beliefs,” he reflected.
Peter lived in a challenging environment, the Pope noted: “In that context, Jesus is often viewed as inconsequential. At best, he’s recognized for his remarkable way of speaking and acting.”
“When his existence becomes inconvenient due to moral demands, this ‘world’ quickly turns to reject him and exclude him,” he added.
However, ordinary followers of Jesus regarded him as “a good man, a courageous man, someone who spoke wisely and acted righteously, much like other great prophets in Israel’s past.”
“What’s particularly striking about these two viewpoints is their relevance today,” he stated. “They embody the notion that, while fundamentally similar, they can be expressed in varying ways, resonating with many people in our contemporary society.”
Pope Leo emphasized that for many around the globe, “Christian faith is perceived as absurd.”
He further stated, “Our outreach is crucially needed.” He lamented that a lack of faith often leads to a profound loss of meaning in life, ignorance of mercy, violations of human rights, family crises, and numerous other societal wounds.
Among Christians, he acknowledged how they might reduce Jesus to merely a “charismatic leader or superman.” This feeling isn’t just common among non-believers but is observed even among many baptized individuals who should embody deeper faith.
“Therefore, it’s imperative that we echo Peter’s words: ‘You are Christ, the living Son of God,'” he concluded.
Pope Leo expressed the need for all Christian missions to take a step back to allow Christ to shine, emphasizing that he should be known and glorified, allowing everyone a chance to know and love him.
The Vatican is scheduled to hold Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass on May 18. This event follows a series of meetings with sovereign nations, Vatican Cardinals, and other senior officials. The clergy’s itinerary will also incorporate time for reflection, prayer, and dialogue, which might impact the overall schedule.
