Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Sunday Blessing After Honoring Predecessor Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, made his first Sunday appearance in St Peter’s Square, delivering the Regina Caeli prayer and blessing thousands. Elected on May 8 after a two-day conclave, he succeeds Pope Francis. On May 10, he visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray at Francis's tomb. Born in Chicago, Leo XIV has dual U.S.-Peruvian nationality and was a missionary in Peru. His papacy emphasizes humility, service, and social justice, continuing Francis's legacy. His inauguration is scheduled for May 18 in St Peter’s Square.
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05/11 08:24
Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Sunday Blessing After Honoring Predecessor Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, made his first Sunday appearance in St Peter’s Square, delivering the Regina Caeli prayer and blessing thousands. Elected on May 8 after a two-day conclave, he succeeds Pope Francis. On May 10, he visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray at Francis's tomb. Born in Chicago, Leo XIV has dual U.S.-Peruvian nationality and was a missionary in Peru. His papacy emphasizes humility, service, and social justice, continuing Francis's legacy. His inauguration is scheduled for May 18 in St Peter’s Square.
A Swift Conclave and a Historic Election
The 133-member College of Cardinals convened in Vatican City and, after two days of deliberation, elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope on May 8. The white smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney signaled the decision to the world. At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV becomes the first U.S.-born pontiff and the second from the Americas, following Pope Francis of Argentina.
Born in Chicago and holding dual U.S.-Peruvian nationality, Leo XIV spent much of his clerical life as a missionary in Peru before being appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 to lead the Dicastery for Bishops. His election is seen as a continuation of Francis’s legacy, with a focus on humility, service, and social justice.
First Public Appearances: A Message of Peace and Unity
Shortly after his election, Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, offering a message of peace to “all the people, wherever they are… to the whole Earth.” This initial greeting set the tone for a papacy that, while still in its infancy, appears rooted in pastoral care and global outreach.
On Sunday, May 11, the pope returned to the same balcony to lead the Regina Caeli prayer, a traditional Marian devotion recited during the Easter season. The noon address marked his second official public appearance and drew thousands of pilgrims and visitors eager to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the Church’s history.
A Pilgrimage of Tribute: Honoring Pope Francis
On Saturday, May 10, Pope Leo XIV made a quiet but poignant visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed before the simple marble tomb of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. The basilica, a favorite of Francis, has become a site of pilgrimage for many faithful paying their respects.
Before visiting the tomb, Leo XIV also made a surprise stop at the Basilica Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel, an Augustinian shrine southeast of Rome. The visit was deeply personal for the new pope, himself a member of the Augustinian order and former prior general.
In his remarks to cardinals on Saturday, Leo XIV described himself as a “humble servant of God” and an “unworthy successor” to Saint Peter. He emphasized the importance of missionary work, dialogue, and care for the marginalized—echoing the values championed by his predecessor.
A Name with Meaning
The new pope chose the name Leo in honor of Pope Leo XIII, the 19th-century pontiff known for his teachings on social justice and the rights of workers. In his early comments, Pope Leo XIV suggested that the Church must now respond to the challenges of the digital age, including the development of artificial intelligence, by defending human dignity and justice.
Upcoming Ceremonial and Public Events
Pope Leo XIV’s schedule in the coming days reflects the ceremonial and administrative responsibilities of his new role. On Monday, May 12, he will meet with members of the international media. His formal inauguration will take place on Sunday, May 18, during a public Mass in St Peter’s Square, attended by heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.
Following the inauguration, the pope will hold his first general audience on May 21, a weekly event that includes scriptural readings and a homily. He is also scheduled to meet with members of the Roman Curia on May 24 and will begin visiting Rome’s four papal basilicas, starting with Santa Maria Maggiore on May 25.
In one of his first administrative decisions, Pope Leo XIV announced that the heads of Vatican dicasteries will remain in their positions for now, allowing him time for “reflection, prayer and dialogue” before making any permanent appointments.
A Pontificate Begins
As the Church begins a new era under Pope Leo XIV, his early actions—marked by humility, reverence, and a commitment to continuity—have set a tone of pastoral care and global solidarity. His first Sunday blessing, delivered under the Roman sun to a sea of pilgrims, was not only a ceremonial milestone but a gesture of unity for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
References
- Pope Leo prays at tomb of Francis ahead of first Sunday address
- Pope Leo XIV makes surprise appearances on Saturday
- Pope Leo XIV: What we know already (and what we can expect)
- How Pope Leo XIV may lead church and navigate an increasingly vocal Catholic right in US
- ABC7 presents 'Leo XIV: Chicago's Pope'
- Leo XIV to address faithful with St Peter’s prayer | Fox 11 Tri Cities Fox 41 Yakima
