Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope, celebrated his first mass as head of the Catholic Church at a private gathering in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him to succeed Pope Francis. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with Christ, stating that without faith, life lacks meaning.
“We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ the Saviour,” Pope Leo XIV said, beginning his homily in English. He urged the Catholic Church to “desperately” counter a lack of faith, warning that in today’s world, there are places where “it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied.”
The Pope deplored “settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent” and noted that people were turning to “technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.” He emphasized the need to overcome divisions within the Church, telling his fellow cardinals, “I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me.”
Pope Leo XIV’s first mass marked a significant moment in his papacy, coming just a day after his election on the fourth ballot. The Mass was held in the same Sistine Chapel where he was elected, symbolizing the continuity of tradition and faith in the Catholic Church. Congratulations poured in from world leaders, including Britain’s King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Vatican News/Sankofa News
