Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Pope Leo XIV Outlines Mission as New Head of Catholic Church
Pope Leo XIV articulated his vision for leading the Catholic Church during a service on Friday, May 9, emphasizing unity and adherence to the Gospel. The new pontiff addressed the faithful, outlining his aspirations and acknowledging the challenges facing the Church in the modern world. This comes after his election following the death of Pope Francis, marking a new chapter for the Catholic community.
Calling for Unity and Faithfulness
“You have summoned me to bear that cross and to be blessed with that mission, and I know I can count on each and every one of you to journey alongside me as we endure as a church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to proclaim the good news, to proclaim the Gospel,” the 69-year-old pontiff expressed in his homily, delivered at Italy’s Sistine Chapel, according to the Associated Press.
Speaking in Italian, Leo further commented on the global perception of Christianity, noting how Jesus is sometimes “reduced to a charismatic leader or superman.”
“This holds true not only among non-believers but also among numerous baptized Christians, who consequently live, at this level, in a state of practical atheism,” Leo stated. “Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A deficit of faith is often tragically linked with the forfeiture of meaning in life, the neglect of compassion, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family, and numerous other afflictions that plague our society.”
Hopes for the Papacy
Leo further utilized his address to convey his aspirations for the papacy under his leadership.
“God has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with His assistance, I may be its steadfast administrator for the sake of the entire mystical Body of the Church,” he conveyed, according to a Reuters translation. “He has done so to ensure that she may increasingly become a city set on a hill, an ark of salvation traversing the waters of history, and a beacon that illuminates the murky nights of this world.”
Selection and Early Remarks
Leo was elected as the new pontiff on Thursday, May 8, following a conclave of international cardinals who cast their votes to determine who would succeed Pope Francis, who recently passed away at the age of 88.
Robert Francis Prevost Takes on Papal Name
Following the conclave’s verdict, Leo (born Robert Francis Prevost) assumed his papal name. Originating from Chicago, he is the first American-born pope in the history of the Church.
“I extend my gratitude to my Cardinal brothers who have chosen me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk alongside you as a united Church, collectively pursuing peace and justice, collaborating as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the Gospel,” Leo articulated in a speech on Thursday, delivering his initial remarks as pope. “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, ‘With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop.’ Thus, may we all journey together toward that homeland that God has prepared for us.”