*Delivers First Address, Urges Peace and Unity “Without Fear”
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Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States, delivered his first speech as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church this evening from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, offering a message centered on peace, dialogue, and bridge-building in a divided world.
“Peace be with all of you,” were the pope’s first words, greeted by thunderous applause from the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Switching fluidly between Italian and Spanish, the new pontiff used the address to emphasize reconciliation, gratitude, and a deep pastoral connection to the faithful around the world.
“We can all walk together towards that homeland God has prepared for us,” Pope Leo said, acknowledging the global nature of the Church. In Spanish, he offered thanks to the people of Peru, where he served as a missionary and bishop for three decades. “To my former diocese, where a loyal people has shared its faith and given so much — thank you.”
At 69, Pope Leo XIV becomes the first North American to assume the papacy. Originally from Chicago, his election by the College of Cardinals marks a historic shift for the Catholic Church. Known for his pastoral approach, linguistic fluency, and global experience, he has served both the Church in Rome and the marginalized communities of Latin America.
In his speech, the pope paid warm tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, whose legacy he acknowledged with reverence: “Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges,” he urged.
He concluded his Urbi et Orbi blessing with a message of hope: “Let us walk without fear. The world needs healing — and the Church must lead by example, with love, humility, and courage.”
The news of an American pope has sent ripples across the Catholic world and beyond. Former U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate the new pontiff, calling it “a great honor for our country” and expressing excitement at the prospect of meeting Pope Leo XIV.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope,” Trump wrote. “What excitement, and what a great honor for our country.”
Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and Vatican analyst, called the election a “big surprise” and noted its significance for the broader Americas. “He’s seen as one of their own by the Latin American cardinals,” Reese said. “He’s not just an American pope — he’s a pope for all of the Americas.”
Though some observers had long believed that the papacy would never be entrusted to an American due to the United States’ global dominance, Pope Leo XIV’s cross-cultural appeal, humility, and Latin American roots helped overcome that reluctance.
“He’s pastoral. He listens. He builds relationships. And he has the kind of international background that makes him a truly global pope,” said one Vatican source.
With the white smoke and ringing bells marking the beginning of a new chapter, the Church now looks to Leo XIV to shepherd its 1.4 billion members in a time of both great challenges and opportunities.
His election signals not just a personal triumph, but a reimagining of what leadership in the Catholic Church can look like — inclusive, cross-cultural, and deeply rooted in service.
As the sun set over Rome, the faithful stood in silence and prayer as the voice of Pope Leo XIV echoed across the square — a gentle, yet firm reminder of faith’s enduring power to unite.
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