Pope Leo XIV held his inaugural “Regina Caeli” prayer at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday. This was just hours after he visited the tomb of his predecessor, Pope Francis. During his address, he expressed a hopeful sentiment about his role, stating, “I came here on these first days of the new ministry and hoped to proceed with this mission as Peter’s successor, as the church gave me.” He also offered words of encouragement to young Catholics: “Don’t be afraid! Welcome the invitation of the church and the invitation of the Lord’s Christ!”
Interestingly, the new Pope’s inclusive approach seems to raise eyebrows among some factions, particularly those aligned with the “America First” movement.
He also remarked, “May the Virgin Mary, whose life was a response to the Lord’s call, always accompany us by following Jesus.” In his speech to the crowd, he made a passionate plea for peace, calling for an end to war and urging for sustained peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. The Pope expressed gratitude for the ceasefire recently established between India and Pakistan, adding that he hopes for a “miracle of peace.”
Pope Leo XIV, a graduate of Villanova, seeks to bring attention to pressing global issues with a deeply religious outlook. He emphasized the urgency of his message by reminding attendees, “There’s no more war!” echoing Pope Francis’s concerns about the toll of conflict, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In his first official statement as Pope, he raised alarms about artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential risks to human dignity, urging the Catholic Church to take decisive action in response.
Pope Leo, originally named Robert Francis Pribre, previously served as a missionary and led the Dicastery for Bishops. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian and was seen as a unifying choice following Pope Francis’s passing. The name “Leo” reflects his commitment to social justice, inspired by Pope Leo XIII.
