Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the 268th Successor of Peter, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. In his first address to the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Father began with the words of the Risen Christ: “Peace be with you!”
He reflected on the significance of this greeting, recalling that it was the first message of Christ to His disciples after the Resurrection. Pope Leo XIV expressed his heartfelt wish that this peace might “enter your hearts, reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth.” He described it as a “disarming and humble and preserving peace,” a gift from God who “loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.”
In his address, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as the “Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.” The new pontiff pledged to continue that blessing, reassuring the world that “evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.”
Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian, invoked the words of Saint Augustine: “With you, I am a Christian, for you a bishop.” He called for unity and missionary zeal, urging the Church to build bridges of dialogue and encounter, echoing his vision for a synodal Church marked by peace, charity, and closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Addressing the Church of Rome specifically, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the need for it to be a “missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone.” He also offered a heartfelt greeting to his former diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, acknowledging their faithfulness and support.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his first address with a call to prayer, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Pompei on her feast day, and led the crowd in a Hail Mary for peace in the world.
As the Church embraces this new chapter under the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, his message of peace and unity stands as a beacon of hope for Catholics around the globe.
Full Addres
Peace be with you!
Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.
This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.
Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome—the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.
Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.
We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.
Thank you, Pope Francis!
Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “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.
To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:
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.
Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.
To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal Church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.
Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei. Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love.
So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world. We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.
Hail Mary…
