Habemus papam! Pope Leo XIV officially begins his papacy with a beautiful inaugural Mass
Echo report published in Seattle Times from the Associated Press with opinion letter from Deacon Denny Duffell*, the Seattle, regional coordinator, Pax Christi Northwest response; article by Nicolle Winfield:
Pope Leo XIV offers message of unity for polarized Catholic Church as pontificate officially starts:
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV vowed to work for unity in a polarized Catholic Church and world, as history’s first American pope offered a message of healing during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 200,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes.
Pope Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach and mediatic (IOW gets the attenion of the media) draw.
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| Pope Leo XIV holds Mass during the formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter’s Square attended by heads of state, royalty and ordinary faithful, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) |
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV vowed to work for unity in a polarized Catholic Church and world, as history’s first American pope offered a message of healing during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 200,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes.
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| "Habemus papam" Latin phrase meaning "We have a pope", the official announcement madeby the senior cardinal after a new pope has been elected. |
Pope Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach and mediatic (IOW gets the attenion of the media) draw.
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck to people waving U.S., Peruvian and other national flags, and stopped to bless some babies in the crowd.
During the Mass, Leo appeared to choke up when the two potent symbols of the papacy were placed on him — the lambswool stole over his shoulders and the fisherman’s ring on his finger — as if the weight of responsibility of leading the 1.4-billion strong church had just sunk in.
He turned his hand to look at the ring and then clasped his hands in front of him in prayer.
The theme of Pope Leo’s papacy: In his homily, Leo said that he wanted to be a servant to the faithful through the two dimensions of the papacy, love and unity, so that the church could be a force for peace in the world. (His motto: "In Illlo uno unm" translates "In One we are one", words of Saint Augustine).
“I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” he said. “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 marginalizes the poorest.”
His words echoed some of Francis’ key priorities, but his call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States and beyond.
Francis’ radical 12-year pontificate, which emphasized care for the poor and marginalized, and disdain for the capitalist economic system, often alienated conservatives who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo’s election on May 8, after a remarkably quick 24-hour conclave, appears to have pleased conservative Catholics who seem to appreciate his more disciplined, traditional style and Augustinian background, emphasizing core truths of Catholic doctrine.
Pope Leo drove that message home by wearing the papacy’s formal red cape, or mozzetta, to receive Vance and official government delegations after the Mass. Francis had eschewed many of the formalities of the papacy as part of his simple style, but Leo’s return to the traditional garb has pleased conservatives and traditionalists, who breathed a sigh of relief when he came out onto the the loggia wearing the red cape on May 8.
But Pope Leo did break protocol when he gave his older brother, Louis Prevost, a self-described political “MAGA-type,” a bear hug in the basilica when he and his wife came up to greet the pope.
“Let us build a church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity,” Pope Leo said.
Giovanna Dell’Orto, David Biller and Isaia Monteleone contributed to this report. Associated Press (AP) religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
During the Mass, Leo appeared to choke up when the two potent symbols of the papacy were placed on him — the lambswool stole over his shoulders and the fisherman’s ring on his finger — as if the weight of responsibility of leading the 1.4-billion strong church had just sunk in.
He turned his hand to look at the ring and then clasped his hands in front of him in prayer.
The theme of Pope Leo’s papacy: In his homily, Leo said that he wanted to be a servant to the faithful through the two dimensions of the papacy, love and unity, so that the church could be a force for peace in the world. (His motto: "In Illlo uno unm" translates "In One we are one", words of Saint Augustine).
“I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” he said. “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 marginalizes the poorest.”
His words echoed some of Francis’ key priorities, but his call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States and beyond.
Francis’ radical 12-year pontificate, which emphasized care for the poor and marginalized, and disdain for the capitalist economic system, often alienated conservatives who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo’s election on May 8, after a remarkably quick 24-hour conclave, appears to have pleased conservative Catholics who seem to appreciate his more disciplined, traditional style and Augustinian background, emphasizing core truths of Catholic doctrine.
Pope Leo drove that message home by wearing the papacy’s formal red cape, or mozzetta, to receive Vance and official government delegations after the Mass. Francis had eschewed many of the formalities of the papacy as part of his simple style, but Leo’s return to the traditional garb has pleased conservatives and traditionalists, who breathed a sigh of relief when he came out onto the the loggia wearing the red cape on May 8.
But Pope Leo did break protocol when he gave his older brother, Louis Prevost, a self-described political “MAGA-type,” a bear hug in the basilica when he and his wife came up to greet the pope.
“Let us build a church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity,” Pope Leo said.
Giovanna Dell’Orto, David Biller and Isaia Monteleone contributed to this report. Associated Press (AP) religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
*Dear Editor: Re: “Pope Leo XIV offers message of unity for polarized Catholic Church as pontificate officially starts” (May 17, Nation & World):
News about the election of Pope LeoX IV's (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost) election was electrifying, and the new pope’s comments haven’t let us down. His 19th-century predecessor Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, “Of New Things,” ushering in the era of social justice encyclicals.
From calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, to affirming free speech, to offering to help mediate in the world’s wars, Pope Leo XIV, a fellow American, lifts our hearts and spirits. I hope he will be as outspoken as Pope Francis about the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons and will take steps to restore the practice of having women in the diaconate. This deacon would welcome it!
Deacon Denny Duffell, Seattle, regional coordinator, Pax Christi Northwest
From calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, to affirming free speech, to offering to help mediate in the world’s wars, Pope Leo XIV, a fellow American, lifts our hearts and spirits. I hope he will be as outspoken as Pope Francis about the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons and will take steps to restore the practice of having women in the diaconate. This deacon would welcome it!
Deacon Denny Duffell, Seattle, regional coordinator, Pax Christi Northwest
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