Pope Leo XIV gave his first Sunday blessing at St Peter's Square yesterday. After white smoke announced his election Thursday, he said the Regina Caeli prayer for the Virgin Mary. The Pope blessed people outside after delivering Sunday mass. He visited a shrine near Rome on Saturday before praying at his predecessor Francis' tomb inside Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. The Vatican will hold its official start ceremony in St Peter's Square on May 18.
Leo became the Catholic Church's leader after a two-day meeting at Vatican City. He led his first Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel. The Pope told cardinals Saturday he felt unworthy but promised to continue what Francis started. He plans to focus on helping poor people through missionary work. Leo chose his name from a past Pope known for social justice teachings.
The 69-year-old American holds the position number 267 as St. Peter's successor. Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago worked for many years as a missionary in Peru. The Vatican calls him the second Pope from the Americas after Francis from Argentina. People see Leo as someone who can unite the church with its 1.4 billion members worldwide. He aims to lead everyone toward peace by working together as one church.
Leo became the Catholic Church's leader after a two-day meeting at Vatican City. He led his first Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel. The Pope told cardinals Saturday he felt unworthy but promised to continue what Francis started. He plans to focus on helping poor people through missionary work. Leo chose his name from a past Pope known for social justice teachings.
The 69-year-old American holds the position number 267 as St. Peter's successor. Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago worked for many years as a missionary in Peru. The Vatican calls him the second Pope from the Americas after Francis from Argentina. People see Leo as someone who can unite the church with its 1.4 billion members worldwide. He aims to lead everyone toward peace by working together as one church.
