Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from North America, led his inaugural Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel, marking the beginning of his papacy following his groundbreaking election.
The 267th successor to St. Peter, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, presided over the sacred ceremony surrounded by the cardinals who chose him to lead the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics. Dressed in white vestments, he blessed the assembled prelates beneath Michelangelo’s famed fresco, The Last Judgment—the same hallowed space where he was elected just a day earlier.
His ascension to the papacy on Thursday stunned many, as he overcame longstanding speculation that the Catholic Church would avoid selecting a pope from the United States. The former Augustinian missionary, known for his humility and pastoral focus, now steps into the legacy of Pope Francis, whose emphasis on social justice and reform is expected to continue under Leo’s leadership.
The new pope, who spent decades serving in Peru before returning to Rome as a cardinal, brings a unique perspective shaped by his missionary work and American roots. As the faithful worldwide adjust to this historic shift, all eyes remain on the Vatican for his next moves—including potential signals of his priorities for the Church.
The Mass, a solemn yet celebratory occasion, sets the stage for Leo XIV’s formal inauguration, expected in the coming days.
