Inauguration Mass marks formal start of Pope Leo’s papacy

By CathNews New Zealand

May 20th, 2025

Pope Leo XIV greets people at the conclusion of his inauguration Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 18, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as the successor of St Peter by calling for “a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world”. Source: CNS.

“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” the new Pope said in his homily during his inauguration Mass in St Peter’s Square on May 18.

“For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world,” he told the estimated 150,000 people gathered in and around St Peter’s Square.

Pope Leo also recalled the period of mourning following the death of Pope Francis, and he said that the conclave that followed the late Pope’s death was “a moment of grace”.

“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family,” he said.

Ecumenical and interreligious guests and more than 100 government delegations joined the new Pope for the Mass in St Peter’s Square.

Among the Christian leaders present was Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople, along with other delegations from the Orthodox churches, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Methodist Council, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and various evangelical and Pentecostal communities. Representatives of the Jewish community as well as Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian and Jain traditions also were in attendance.

Following the Gospel reading, three cardinals from the different orders within the College of Cardinals took part in the formal beginning of the Petrine ministry: Italian Cardinal Mario Zenari placed the woollen pallium on the Pope’s shoulders, symbolising his role as shepherd of the universal Church; Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presented him with the fisherman’s ring, evoking St Peter’s mission to draw people into Jesus Christ’s net; and Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo offered a prayer invoking the strength of the Holy Spirit for the new pontificate.

Representing the universal Church, 12 people – clergy, religious and laity from around the world – then came forward to offer their obedience to the new Pope.

FULL STORY

Pope Leo XIV begins papacy calling for a ‘united church’ in a wounded world – OSV News (By Justin McLellan/CNS)

Full text: Homily of Pope Leo XIV during the Mass of Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry – OSV News (CNS)

Full text: Pope Leo’s Regina Caeli address May 18 – OSV News (CNS)