Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

Pope Leo XIV Holds First Mass at the Sistine Chapel Following Election

Pope Leo XIV Holds First Mass at the Sistine Chapel Following Election

Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, calls for humility in his inaugural homily at the Vatican, emphasizing a missionary outreach to global communities in need.
Pope Leo XIV, newly elected as the 267th pope of the Catholic Church, delivered his first Mass at the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025, a day after his election.

The service marked a return to worship in a venue typically bustling with tourists but recently serving as a polling site for the conclave that selected him.

Leo, aged 69 and formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, is notable for being the first pontiff from the United States.

In his homily, Leo initially spoke in English before transitioning to Italian.

He expressed gratitude to the cardinals for electing him to lead the Church, referring to the weight of the responsibility as a call to "carry the cross" of the Catholic Church.

He urged members of the priesthood to embrace humility, calling for them to make themselves "small" as part of their ministry, a sentiment reminiscent of the priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

Leo’s election has been the subject of significant discussion, particularly regarding the implications of his American nationality amidst concerns about the nation's vast global political influence.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York stated that Leo’s nationality did not play a significant role in the selection process, emphasizing that he is seen as the "father of the church universal." Similarly, Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory from Washington dismissed interpretations that linked Leo's election as a reaction to U.S. politics, affirming that the conclave aimed to strengthen the Christian faith rather than respond to political considerations.

During his first Mass, Leo highlighted the necessity of missionary efforts directed towards "corners of the world where it is desperately needed." His call for outreach aligns with established Catholic missions emphasizing service and support for marginalized communities.

Observers have noted potential parallels between Leo XIV and Pope Francis, including stylistic choices and a shared focus on inclusion and social issues.

However, there are indications that Leo may take a more traditional approach to certain theological questions, such as the ordination of women, which he addressed previously as a non-negotiable tradition.

As the papacy officially begins on May 18 with an inauguration Mass at St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV's first general audience is scheduled for May 21.

Cardinal Arthur Roche remarked on the election, suggesting it reflects a continuity of purpose and unity left by Pope Francis, who had focused on pastoral experience within the Church's leadership.

Leo's leadership is positioned against a backdrop of extensive reforms in recent papacies, with an emphasis on maintaining essential doctrines while welcoming a diverse global congregation.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×