VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other international dignitaries on Sunday following his inaugural Mass, delivering a strong call for global unity, peace, and compassion in his first major address as pontiff.
The new pope, the first American elected to the papacy, shook hands with Zelensky and exchanged greetings with leaders gathered in St Peter’s Square for the occasion. The meeting followed a deeply symbolic Mass in which Pope Leo used his platform to denounce hatred, violence, and economic exploitation, warning against “an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest.”
In his homily, Pope Leo declared he would lead the Church “without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat,” drawing enthusiastic applause from the tens of thousands gathered in the square.
“Let us reject hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference,” the pope said, emphasizing the need for inclusion and solidarity in a fractured world.
He also invoked a powerful message of hope, urging the faithful to become builders of peace and to embrace their shared humanity.
The pope’s inauguration Mass was rich with traditional rituals. After the liturgy, he was vested with the pallium, a white woolen band symbolizing the shepherd’s responsibility, and received the Ring of the Fisherman, bearing the image of St. Peter. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines led the rite, underscoring the global nature of the modern Church.
Pope Leo then raised the Book of the Gospels to bless the people, marking the formal beginning of his papacy.
Pilgrims from across the globe packed St Peter’s Square, some arriving before dawn to secure a view of the newly elected pontiff. Cheers erupted as the pope’s popemobile circled the square, passing down Via della Conciliazione to the Tiber River and back.
“It’s very special. I’m glad we came early,” said Joe, a tourist from Missouri, who described the experience as deeply moving. “I’m not Catholic anymore, but this is inspiring no matter what denomination you are.”
Michelle, who traveled from Germany for the Mass, described the atmosphere as “very crazy because there’s so many people,” adding, “I came on purpose to see the Pope.”
Also in attendance was Pia, a Chilean professor of philosophy at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, who told the BBC she felt a sense of “new hope in the Church.” She recalled the pope’s first words following his election: “Let the peace be with you” and “Don’t be afraid.”
“He knows what the world and the Church need,” she said. “A Church that is preaching hope and peace. I think many people are waiting for that.”
