Pope Leo XIV Delivers First Mass as Pontiff in Vatican<br><br>

Pope Leo XIV led his first mass as head of the Catholic Church in the Sistine Chapel. The liturgy began with a prayer asking God to teach humanity to recognize its sins — a gesture many view as a meaningful signal in the current global climate.

Experts note that a new pope’s first homily often reflects the direction of his upcoming papacy. Pope Leo XIV spoke of the Church as “a beacon in the dark nights of this world,” describing it as a city on a hill and an ark of salvation.

“God has called me through your election to be the successor of the Prince of the Apostles… so that the Church may become even more a city on a hill, an ark navigating history, a light in the world’s darkness,” the pope declared.

A native of Chicago, Pope Leo XIV delivered most of his sermon in Italian.