Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as the successor of St Peter by calling for “a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world”. Source: OSV News.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” the new Pope said in his homily during his inauguration Mass.
“For our part, we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world,” he told the estimated 150,000 people gathered in and around St Peter’s Square.
“We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: ‘In the one Christ, we are one.’”
The quote from St Augustine is also the Pope’s episcopal motto and is featured on his coat of arms.
Ecumenical and interreligious guests and more than 100 government delegations joined the new Pope for Mass in St Peter’s Square.
Before the Mass began, Pope Leo rode through the square in the popemobile for the first time since his election on May 8, greeting the faithful as cheers of “Viva il papa!” (“Long live the Pope!’) poured out from the crowd.
He then entered the basilica to pray at the tomb of St Peter, accompanied by patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Following the Gospel reading, three cardinals took part in the formal beginning of the Petrine ministry: Italian Cardinal Mario Zenari placed the woollen pallium on the Pope’s shoulders, symbolising his role as shepherd of the universal Church; Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presented him with the fisherman’s ring, evoking St Peter’s mission to draw people into Jesus Christ’s net; and Congolese Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo offered a prayer invoking the strength of the Holy Spirit for the new pontificate.
Pope Leo said in his homily that the ministry of Peter is rooted not in authority for its own sake, but in love that serves and unites.
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family,” he said.
FULL STORY
Pope Leo XIV begins papacy calling for a ‘united Church’ in a wounded world (By Justin McLellan, OSV News)
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