Pope Leon calls for unity, promises not to be “aucrat”

Pope Leon XIV officially began his service Sunday by addressing the conservatives who felt disfellowshipped under his predecessor, calling for unity, promising to preserve the Catholic Church's heritage and declaring that he would not rule as “an opposition”.

After a first parade of parrots through a crowd of some 200,000 people in St. Peter's Square and the surrounding streets, Leon was officially crowned as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church during an open-air mass.

Supporters waved American and Peruvian flags, with people from both countries announcing it as their first pope. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pope spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship.

Robert Prevost, a relatively unknown figure on the world scene that became cardinal just two years ago, was elected pope on May 8th after a brief treaty of cardinals lasting about 24 hours.

He succeeded Francescu, an Arginian who died on April 21st after a often troubled 12-year leadership during which he faced traditionalists and defended the poor and marginalised.

In his preaching, read in running Italians, Leon said that as leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, he will continue Francis' legacy on social issues such as the fight against poverty and environmental protection.

He promised to face the “questions, concerns and challenges of today's world” and, in a gesture to conservatives, promised to preserve the rich “heritage of the Christian religion”, calling for unity.

US Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism that ran into Francisco for the harsh policies of the White House immigration, led the US delegation together with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also Catholic.

Vance briefly shook hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the start of the ceremony. Both met for the last time in February at the White House, when they ran into world media.

Zelensky and Pope Leon are expected to hold a private meeting later Sunday, while Vance is expected to meet with the pope Monday.

In a brief appeal at the end of Mass, Pope Leon referred to several global conflicts. He said Ukraine is “marrying”, a phrase often used by Francescu, and called for a “just and stable “) peace there. He also cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Among those in the crowd on Sunday were many pilgrims from the United States and Peru.

Since his choice of popes, Leon has signaled some key priorities for his papacy, including a warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence and the importance of bringing world peace into and within the Church itself.

France's papacy left a divided church, with conservatives accusing it of creating confusion.

Saying he was taking this mission “in fear and trembling”, Leon used the words “unity” or “united” seven times Sunday and the word “

Conservators also accused Francescu of ruling authoritarianly and complain that he despised their concerns and did not consult extensively before making decisions.

Referring to St. Peter, the first - century Christian apostle from whom the popes assert their authority, Leon said: <x)Petere must feed the flock without ever succumbing to the temptation to be autism, ruling over those entrusted to him. Rather, he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters and to walk alongside them”.

Many world leaders attended the ceremony, including the presidents of Israel, Peru and Nigeria, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyeen. / REL/Periscopi/