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Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy with a call for unity and reconciliation during his inauguration Mass at the Vatican on May 18, 2025. Addressing an estimated crowd of 150,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, the pope emphasized the need for “a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the ongoing issues of discord and division caused by various societal problems such as hatred, violence, prejudice, and economic exploitation. He expressed a desire for the church to be "a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world."
The event was attended by ecumenical and interreligious guests as well as over 100 government delegations. Notable attendees included U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. delegation visited Pope Francis’ tomb prior to the Mass.
Christian leaders from various denominations were present alongside representatives from Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain communities.
Before beginning the Mass proceedings, Pope Leo greeted the faithful in St. Peter’s Square while riding in the popemobile for the first time since his election on May 8. The ceremony included symbolic gestures like Cardinal Mario Zenari placing a woolen pallium on Pope Leo's shoulders to signify his role as shepherd of the universal church.
Pope Leo also spoke about love being central to his ministry. He noted that "Peter is thus entrusted with the task of ‘loving more’" and emphasized that authority should be exercised through charity rather than autocracy.
Reflecting on recent events such as Pope Francis' passing and subsequent conclave as "a moment of grace," Pope Leo shared his commitment to serving with humility: “I was chosen...and now...I come to you as a brother."
The pope concluded by urging prayers for conflict-ridden regions including Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine—highlighting hopes for peace negotiations in Ukraine where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present.
Following Mass celebrations at St. Peter’s Basilica were meetings between Pope Leo XIV with several international representatives including Peruvian President Dina Boluarte—a nod to his past missionary work in Peru.
