The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, will celebrate his inaugural mass on Friday, just one day after emerging from the conclave as the 267th pontiff.
The 69-year-old Chicago native, born Robert Francis Prevost, was chosen by the College of Cardinals in a swift conclave held within the Sistine Chapel. On Friday at 11:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), he will return there to celebrate a private mass with fellow cardinals—an event that will be televised globally and feature his first homily as pope.
Leo XIV made his first public appearance on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday evening, receiving cheers from tens of thousands of faithful gathered in the square, many of whom were unfamiliar with the relatively low-profile cardinal. Previously a missionary in Peru for two decades and elevated to cardinal in 2023, Leo XIV was on the radar of some Vatican watchers, but remained a surprising choice for many.
In his brief first address, the new pontiff struck a conciliatory and inclusive tone, echoing themes championed by his predecessor, Pope Francis. “We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, which holds dialogues, which is always open,” he told the crowd, urging a commitment to peace and unity.
World leaders quickly welcomed his election, underscoring the global expectations facing the new pope amid a time of war and social upheaval. Domestically, Leo XIV will need to navigate a deeply polarized Church and continue addressing the lingering impacts of the clergy sexual abuse crisis.
Known for his advocacy for the poor and criticism of anti-migrant policies—including sharing articles that critiqued former U.S. President Donald Trump—Pope Leo XIV nonetheless received congratulatory remarks from Trump, who called the election a “great honour” for the United States.
Observers describe Leo XIV as a moderate, consensus-building figure who represents a “gentle continuity” with Francis. “He will not alienate conservatives,” said François Mabille of the IRIS think tank in Paris, predicting a more measured tone from the new pope. While less likely to make provocative declarations, Leo XIV is expected to carry forward the broader reformist spirit of Francis, albeit in a more cautious style.
Over the next few days, the Vatican and faithful worldwide will look to Leo’s upcoming mass, his Sunday address, and Monday’s meeting with the media for early indications of how he intends to shape his papacy.
