Pope Leo XIV’s First Speech: A Call for Peace, Unity, and Mission

Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, made his first speech as the leader of the Catholic Church from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, just moments after being elected pontiff. His words, filled with deep faith and compassion, were a heartfelt call for unity, peace, and hope, not only within the Church but for all of humanity.

As he addressed the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and those watching from around the world, Pope Leo XIV began by echoing the greeting of peace from the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who sacrificed His life for the salvation of God’s people. He emphasized that this peace was not just a fleeting greeting, but a peace that transcends borders and divisions, reaching every heart and every family, no matter where they may be.

“Peace be with you!” Pope Leo XIV proclaimed, invoking the peace of Christ—a peace that is unarmed, disarming, humble, and persistent. It is a peace that flows directly from God, who loves all people unconditionally. His words carried the spirit of Pope Francis, his predecessor, whose voice, though weak, was always full of courage as he gave his blessing to the world. Pope Francis’ legacy of peace, hope, and love was evident in Pope Leo XIV’s first words, as he assured the crowd that God’s love is unwavering, and that evil would not prevail.

The new pope reminded everyone that the Church, and indeed the world, is in God’s hands. With this assurance, he called for courage and unity. “Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we move forward,” he said, urging the faithful to walk together as disciples of Christ. Pope Leo XIV spoke of Christ as the light that guides the world, the bridge that connects humanity to God’s love. This light, he emphasized, is essential for the salvation of the world and for humanity’s journey towards peace and unity.

A key theme in Pope Leo XIV’s address was the call to build bridges—bridges of dialogue, understanding, and cooperation. He urged the Church to continue working together as one people, united by faith, and always striving for peace and justice. “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges,” he said, highlighting the need for the Church to remain open, welcoming, and willing to reach out to all who are in need of love, charity, and dialogue. Pope Leo XIV also expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his leadership and to the cardinals who had chosen him to succeed St. Peter. He acknowledged the importance of walking in unity with the faithful, continuing the mission of spreading the Gospel and being bold in proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ.

In his speech, Pope Leo XIV reflected on his own journey, acknowledging his roots as an Augustinian and quoting the words of St. Augustine: “With you, I am a Christian; for you, I am a bishop.” These words served as a reminder that his mission, like all of us, is to walk alongside the faithful, working together toward the ultimate goal: the eternal homeland that God has prepared for His people.

A special greeting was also extended to the Church of Rome, with Pope Leo XIV urging the faithful to work together to embody the spirit of a missionary Church—a Church that is always seeking peace, charity, and closeness to those who suffer. His message was a call to continue fostering a Church that is not only a place of worship but a vibrant, welcoming community, ready to embrace all who seek God’s love.

The new pope also took a moment to remember his beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where he had served as bishop. He expressed his gratitude to the faithful there, acknowledging their unwavering support and commitment to the Church. The love and faith of the people of Chiclayo, he said, had been instrumental in his own journey, and their example of living out the Gospel with joy and dedication would continue to inspire him.

As he concluded his speech, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to join him in prayer, especially on the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. “Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close, to help us with her intercession and her love,” he said. He asked the faithful to pray for the Church, for peace in the world, and to seek Mary’s intercession for the grace to carry out the mission of building a Church that is united, compassionate, and always seeking peace.

Together, the faithful recited the Hail Mary, united in prayer for the Church’s future and the peace of the world. Pope Leo XIV’s first speech as the head of the Catholic Church was not only a message of hope and peace but a call to action—inviting all to walk together in faith, to build bridges of dialogue, and to carry the light of Christ into every corner of the world. His words left the faithful with a sense of unity and excitement for the journey ahead, confident that under his leadership, the Church would continue to be a force for good in the world.