This was no regular mass, but a celebration full of symbolism. It began with an image of the Virgin Mary presiding over the Mass: Our Lady of Good Counsel, whose shine Pope Leo visited two days after his election.
The new Pope couldn’t hold back his emotion when he was presented with the papal insignia: the ring of the pallium and the fisherman.
Then came the moment of the homily, in which Pope Leo XIV defined the vision of his pontificate.
POPE LEO XIV
"This, brothers and sisters, is what I wish to be our first great desire: a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, a leaven for a reconciled world. In our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of difference, and an economic model that exploits the Earth’s resources and sidelines the poorest."
The new Pope didn’t just speak of “unity” as the underlying vision of his pontificate. He also spoke of the spirit he wished to bring to the Church in his era.
POPE LEO XIV
"This is the missionary spirit that must inspire us—not closing ourselves off in our small group or feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God's love to everyone, so that unity may be realized—a unity that does not erase differences, but instead values each person’s individual story and the social and religious culture of every people. Brothers and sisters, this is the hour of love."
Among those present was Patriarch Bartholomew, the top representative of the Orthodox Church. On the political side, there was a strong American delegation, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The President of Ukraine also attended the ceremony, and Russia sent its Minister of Culture.
At the end of the celebration, the Pope returned to the Vatican, where he greeted the several delegations.
JRB
Trans. CRT
