Pope Leo XIV calls the unity of the Church at the opening mass of his pontificate (video)

Pope Leo XIV presided this Sunday the inauguration mass of his pontificate in the Plaza de San Pedro, in the Vatican.

In the presence of more than 200 thousand pilgrims, leaders around the world and representatives of Christian denominations, the homily of Pope Leo XIV marked the beginning of his Petrino ministry, officially opening it.

Titled «Let’s walk to God and love each other», the Mass was an invitation to the Church to «remain united in a single family.»

Religious delegations of different denominations, including Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrian and Jainists, attended the celebration of the Catholic Church.

«After the death of Pope Francis, we feel like sheep without a shepherd, but after receiving his final blessing on Easter Sunday, and with eyes of faith, hope and joy, we remember that the Lord never abandons his people,» said León XIV.

In a manifestation of humility, the new Pope said he was chosen «without any own merit.»

On May 8, the then Cardinal of Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost, amounted to the throne of San Pedro as the First American Pope In the history of the Catholic Church.

«I come to you as a brother who wants to be a servant of his faith and his joy, walking with you on the path of the love of God, for He wants everyone to be united in a single family,» he told the faithful gathered in the Plaza de San Pedro.

The Supreme Pontiff stressed that love and unity are the two aspects of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus. In this regard, he expressed his desire that «a united church» becomes a catalyst for «a reconciled world.»

The US Vice President JD Vance, and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, attended the inaugural Mass in the Vatican.

«At the beginning of the sacred ministry of the first American pontiff, let’s join in prayer by @pontifex,» Rubio wrote with photos of the ceremony in his X account.

Saturday, Rubio thanked a proposal from the Holy See to get involved in contacts between Russia and Ukraine with a view to a possible fire.

«We thank the Holy See for its willingness to get involved in this process. We are grateful for their efforts for a long time not to simply try to boost peace, but also the exchange of prisoners,» Rubio said.

This Sunday, after the inaugural Mass, Leo XIV received the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska in private audience. Vatican News published a video of the match on his Facebook account.