Pope Leo urges unity, condemns capitalism, war at inaugural Mass
dpa
Rome
Pope Leo XIV called for greater global unity and denounced the harms of unchecked capitalism and power during his inaugural Mass in St Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people, including state guests, on Sunday.
'In our time, we still experience too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of others, and an economic model that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest,' said the new pontiff at the Vatican.
Pope Leo, the 69-year-old former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, said he hoped the Catholic Church could become a force for healing and reconciliation.
The inaugural Mass marks the official beginning of Leo's papacy.
Since his selection as the 267th pope by cardinals on May 8, he has repeatedly called on world leaders to work towards ending global conflict. He recently offered the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
The newly-minted pontiff is considered a moderate bridge-builder, who can mediate between different camps within the Church. It is widely believed that this is one of the reasons why he was chosen so surprisingly quickly by the conclave of cardinals.
Speaking the Regina Caeli prayer, Leo called on the world not to forget the many conflicts raging across the globe, singling out Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine in particular.
Praying for the people in the regions, the new head of the Roman Catholic Church said on St Peter's Square in front of some 200,000 people: 'Amid the joy of faith and communion, we must not forget those brothers and sisters who are suffering from war.' 'In Gaza, children, families and elderly people who have survived are starving. In Myanmar, new hostilities have cost innocent lives. And tormented Ukraine is eagerly awaiting negotiations on a just and lasting peace,' said Leo.
Leo arrived at his inauguration in the popemobile, waving and smiling to onlookers running to catch a glimpse of the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church, following the death of his predecessor, pope Francis, on April 21. Numerous US flags, as well as Peruvian flags, could be seen in the crowd.
US Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte were in attendance.
Leo met with Zelensky in the afternoon following his inauguration Mass. Posting on X after the meeting, the Ukrainian president thanked the pope for his support and said he is 'a symbol of hope for peace.'
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