Pope Leo XIV addresses faithful for the first time: What pontiff said
Photo: Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
The new Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful with his first speech. He wished peace and unity to the whole world.
After being elected Pope, Leo XIV came out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to address the faithful gathered in the square in Rome.
More than 100,000 people came to congratulate the new pontiff. They greeted the new Pope with applause.
Pope Leo XIV was moved by the warm reception. His first words as the new pontiff were about peace.
"Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the Lord. And I want this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, unite your families, and bring together all people and the whole earth. Peace be with you. This is the peace of the risen Christ – disarmed and disarming, humble and enduring. And it comes from God, who unconditionally loves each one of us," said the Pope.
Blessing of Pope Francis
In his speech, Pope Leo XIV also mentioned the late Pope Francis, noting that he "poured his blessing over the whole world."
"May this blessing accompany us: God loves us. God loves each one of you. And sin will not have power over us. We are all in God's hands. And at the same time, let us unite without fear with the Holy God and with one another," added the Pope.
Peace and unity
The pontiff also urged all people to move forward with love and unity.
"The world needs your light. Humanity needs it as a bridge to reach God and attain God's love. Help us, help one another to build bridges – through dialogue, through meetings – and we must all be one people living in peace," added Pope Leo XIV.
The pontiff also thanked all the cardinals who elected him as the new Pope.
New Pope
Today, the conclave of cardinals elected American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope. His papal name will be Leo XIV, and he will become the first American Pope in history.
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, USA. He is an American-Peruvian curial cardinal and Augustinian. He served as the General Superior of the Augustinian Order from September 14, 2001, to September 4, 2013.
In 2023, Pope Francis made him a cardinal.
