On the 8th (local time), the officially enthroned 267th Pope Leo XIV said, "Our first great wish is for the unified Church, a symbol of unity and communion, to be the leaven for a reconciled world."
Pope Leo XIV delivered this message during the homily of the mass of his inauguration held at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, saying, "I wish for the unified Church to be a force for peace in the world."
The Pope pointed out, "In our time, there are still too many wounds from discord and hatred, violence, fear of differences, an economic paradigm that exploits the earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest people."
"Everyone must walk together. We should not be trapped inside small fences, nor should we feel a sense of superiority over the world," he noted, urging, "Let us love one another while respecting the social and religious cultural values of all peoples." He also mentioned regions like Myanmar and Ukraine, which are affected by war, stating, "We must remember those suffering from war, all the victims, and the poor."
This appears to express a commitment to continue the core values of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who emphasized care for the poor and marginalized and was critical of the capitalist economic system.
Ahead of the mass, the Pope appeared in the square in the Popemobile, his official ceremonial vehicle, paid homage at the tomb of St. Peter beneath the central altar of St. Peter's Basilica, and then marched to St. Peter's Square. About 100,000 gathered in the square cheered, shouting "Viva il Papa" (Long live the Pope) as they celebrated his inauguration.
After the mass began, Pope Leo XIV donned the fisherman's ring symbolizing the succession of St. Peter, the first pope and the first disciple of Jesus, and the "Pallium" (a white liturgical vestment made of wool), which signifies his duties as a shepherd.