Leo XIV gives first mass as pope with cardinals at the Vatican

In his first mass as pope, Leo XIV has urged the Catholic Church to restore the faith of millions as followers in the 69-year-old’s native Chicago gathered to celebrate the new pontiff. Follow for updates.

Pope Leo XIV has given his first heartfelt message as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church which included criticism of those who have attacked worshippers.

Less than 24 hours after he was revealed at the church’s 267th pope, Leo issued a strong message to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world as he celebrated mass with the College of Cardinals at the Sistine Chapel.

“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent,” Leo warned.

“Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV celebrates mass with the College of Cardinals. Picture: Vatican Media via AP

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first homily as pope. Picture: Vatican Media via AP

“These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied.

“Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed.

“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society”.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica. Picture: AFP

The 69-year-old Chicago-born pontiff also reflected on the importance of life and belief in the church.

“Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman,” Leo said.

“This is true not only among nonbelievers but also among many baptised Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism”.

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CHICAGO CATHOLICS CELEBRATE NEW POPE

At the Holy Name Cathedral in the heart of Chicago, worshippers gathered to celebrate their hometown Pope.

Pastor Larry Sullivan led a celebratory mass to pray for Pope Leo XIV and give thanks for a new shepherd.

“First of all, I think there is a natural inclination, natural tendency for us to be grateful that a fellow Chicagoan has been elected as supreme pontiff,” he said.

Parishioners attend a mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago to celebrate Cardinal Robert Prevost. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

“And then, of course, there is a sense of celebration that someone from the United States American has been elevated, has been elected as the Holy Father.

“And while that is true, it’s a cause of great pride as a as a Chicagoan, I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, and I understand how important that is …

“But really, the most important thing that were celebrating, the most important thing that we’re thanking God for, is the fact that we have a new shepherd. The church was in need of a shepherd.”

Parishioners attend a mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago to celebrate Cardinal Robert Prevost. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Father Sullivan said he and other members of the church learned of Cardinal Robert Prevost’s elevation to Pope while watching television and paid tribute to his predecessor.

“We are also grateful for the wonderful pontificate of Pope Francis, and we’re so grateful for his example,” he said

“We’re so grateful for the way that he taught us to recognise the voice of God in our midst and in our hearts.”

Dozens of devout regular worshippers were joined by more infrequent attendees and even some lured out of interest caused by the enormous media contingent outside the church.

– Vanessa Marsh in Chicago

INAUGURATION MASS DETAILS REVEALED

Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass will be held on Sunday, May 18.

The mass, which formally marks his appointment, will take place in St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican also announced the new pontiff will hold his first general audience on May 21.

He will then recite the Regina Coeli prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica — from the same balcony where he was revealed to the world — at midday (8pm AEST) on Sunday. Picture: AFP

HOW MANY LANGUAGES DOES POPE LEO XIV SPEAK?

There has been a lot of talk about Pope Leo’s multilingual abilities, and that was on show during his first mass as pope.

He conducted the service in Italian, however the first reading was in English, and the second reading was in Spanish.

Even though he was born in the US, Pope Leo is fluent in five languages — English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French.

Originally published as Leo XIV gives first mass as pope with cardinals at the Vatican