Traditionally, the day after the Conclave the new Pope celebrates Mass with the College of Cardinals in the place where he was elected: the Sistine Chapel.
It was here that Leo XIV pronounced his first words in English as Pope. They were impromptu and heartfelt. And he addressed them specifically to the cardinals - those who until yesterday were his equals, and are now his collaborators.
LEO XIV
I'll begin with a word in English and the rest is in Italian, but I want to repeat the words of the responsorial psalm:"I will sing a new song to the Lord because he has done marvels." And indeed, not just with me, but with all of us my brother cardinals as we celebrate this morning, I invite you to recognize the marvels the Lord has done and the blessings the Lord continues to pour out upon all of us. Through the ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry the cross and to be blessed with that mission. And I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me, as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news. To announce the Gospel.
The Gospel passage chosen for this occasion is very eloquent: it describes the scene in which Jesus declares that Peter will be the rock on which the Church stands.
In his homily, the Pope began by speaking about the meaning of the papacy, and concluded by reflecting on the missionary nature of the Church.
LEO XIV
This is the world entrusted to us in which, as Pope Francis has often taught us, we are called to bear witness to joyful faith in Jesus the Savior. It is essential to do so first of all in our personal relationship with Him, in the commitment to a daily journey of conversion. But then, also, as Church, by living together our belonging to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all.
These last words come from one of the most important documents of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, which speaks of the nature and mission of the Catholic Church.
The most moving moment of the liturgical celebration came at the end. When the cardinals burst into applause as Leo XIV passed among them imparting his apostolic blessing to one and all.
