Pope Leo XIV Calls for Unity, Discipleship in First Message to the World

Pope Leo XIV has issued as powerful call to unity and discipleship, emphasizing the boundless love of God and importance of following Christ in his first message to the world on May 8, 2025, at the St. Peter’s square.

The newly elected Pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (OSA),69 is an American Catholic prelate who has served as a prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and was made a cardinal on September 30, 2023, by Pope Francis.

“Peace be with you” Pope Leo XIV said, citing the Risen Christ’s greetings. “This is the peace of the risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace that comes from God”.

The Pope stressed that God’s love is unconditional and limitless, and that evil will not prevail. “God loves us, all of us’’ he said.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV called for a missionary Church that builds bridges and expressed his desire for a synodal Church that seeks peace, charity and closeness, especially to those suffering.

“We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love”, he said.

His message has urged the faithful to walk together towards a common goal.

Citing St. Augustine, he said, “with you I am a Christian, with you I am a bishop”.

He added, “I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop. So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.”

Pope Leo XIV extended his heartfelt gratitude to the cardinals who elected him, saying “I would like to thank all my brother cardinals who have chosen me to be the successor of St. Peter, to be someone who is always looking for peace and justice and to help everybody become more faithful to the lord Jesus so that can all be missionaries of the gospel”.

This humble gesture set the tone for his papacy, emphasizing his appreciation for the trust placed in him to lead the Catholic Church. He spoke in Italian, Spanish and Latin when delivering his first message to the world as a Pope.

Pope Leo XIV concluded his message by saying the Hail Mary prayer with the crowd, asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Pompei.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass with the College of Cardinals at the Sistine Chapel on May 9, 2025, marking a significant moment in his papacy.

The ceremony, filled with tradition and solemnity, underscored the Pope’s commitment to his spiritual role and his relationship with the Church’s leadership.

Concelebrating with the cardinals, Pope Leo XIV prayed for guidance and unity within the Church, setting a tone of collaboration and shared mission.

With Pope Leo XIV’s election, a new era begins for the Catholic Church.

By Alor Mercy//DEPSOCOM Accra