Pope Leo’s nod to John Paul II

The new pontiff rekindled reassuring memories by carrying the same staff – topped with a crucifix rather than a shepherd’s crook – that the late pope carried for 27 years.

Pope Leo XIV at the formal inauguration of his pontificate in St Peter's Square attended by heads of state, royalty and ordinary faithful. Picture: AP Photo

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As Pope Leo XIV walked through St Peter’s Basilica to begin his inauguration mass outside, he rekindled reassuring memories of St John Paul II, carrying the same staff – topped with a crucifix rather than a shepherd’s crook – that the late pope carried for 27 years, from 1978 until his death in 2005.

The new pontiff’s sermon, too, was reassuring, even comforting, built around a passage of St John’s Gospel familiar to mass goers, especially in the post-Easter season.

In it, Christ asks Peter (whose remains are buried beneath the great basilica that bears his name) if he loves him – three times. Peter insists that he does – “more than these others” – as Jesus asked him. The Lord’s instructions to him were clear – “feed my lambs’’, “feed my sheep”.

The meaning and symbolism of the occasion coalesced. Like a good shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders, Leo was wearing his new lamb’s wool pallium for the first time. It is a symbol of his pastoral responsibility.

Pope Leo XIV received his pallium and fisherman’s ring during the mass. Picture: Getty Images

His words also bore witness to his years as a member of the Augustinian order, reminding the congregation of the words of the order’s founder, St Augustine, that human hearts will remain restless until they rest in God.

In keeping with the Gospel, unity and love were the main themes of his homily, reminding his cardinals, bishops, priests and others that souls will be captured not by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power. Instead, it was a matter of loving with the “infinite and unconditional’’ love of Jesus.

Stressing the importance of a united church in “union and communion’’ in a reconciled world, he also acknowledged the importance of “coexistence in diversity’’.

The Petrine ministry, the new pontiff said, was “always and only a question of loving as Jesus did”.

In a world wracked by divisions, and a church with its own share of divisions, it was the right, straightforward message for the times, delivered well. As the late George Pell said when he heard John Paul II’s inaugural sermon on the radio in 1978, the church is in good hands.