Pope Leo XIV, born as Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, has officially begun his reign as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church with an inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square. The event was marked by the presence of tens of thousands of believers and various world leaders, including US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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During his homily, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of unity within the church and criticized the current economic system for its exploitation of nature and marginalization of the poor. He also called for greater care for the environment, echoing the concerns of his predecessor, Pope Francis. He further pledged to lead without succumbing to the temptation of autocracy.
The new pope's election follows the historic tenure of Pope Francis, who was the first Jesuit and Latin American to hold the position. Pope Leo XIV's appointment has generated interest due to his American background and his reputation for being a strong communicator and bridge-builder within the church. His priorities and approach to global issues such as poverty, climate change, and religious freedom are likely to be closely watched in the coming days and months.