Pope Leo XIV has warned of the dangers of reducing Jesus to a charismatic leader figure while leading his first mass as pontiff. He spoke a few words in English at the start of the service. Catch up with the latest on the new pontiff below.
Friday 9 May 2025 13:05, UK
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We’re pausing our coverage for today.
Earlier, Pope Leo led his first holy mass as pontiff in the Sistine Chapel, where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier.
He prayed that his historic papacy can help the Catholic Church be a beacon illuminating „the dark nights of this world“.
Dressed in relatively simple white and gold vestments, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost and the first US pope said a few words in English before continuing his homily in fluent Italian.
He reflected in his words what he wanted the Church to look like under his papacy and added: „God has entrusted this treasure to me.“
The pontiff also said:
Leo, aged 69, was elected at the end of a swift two-day conclave that was wrapped up yesterday evening when white smoke billowed from the chimney of the chapel.
In addition to his US citizenship, he also holds Peruvian citizenship.
As the mass unfolded, Buckingham Palace also announced that the King had sent a private message to the Pope and congratulated him on his election as the 267th pontiff.
You can watch Sky’s Europe correspondent Siobhan Robbins take a look at who the new pope is here…
And read our piece on how the new pontiff compares to his predecessors…
The Pope’s brothers have spoken about their brother being elected as the new pontiff.
John Prevost said: „I said to him ‚did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?‘
„And he had just finished watching Conclave – so he knew how to behave.
„I wanted to take his mind off it and laugh about something because this is now an awesome responsibility.“
Louis Prevost added: „We kind of knew he was special and we used to tease him about being pope when he was six years old.
„It’s just mind-blowing that my brother has been elected pope.“
Pope Leo XIV today celebrated his first mass in the Sistine Chapel.
He prayed that his historic papacy can help the Catholic Church be a beacon illuminating „the dark nights of this world“ and also said God had „entrusted this treasure“ to him.
Here are just a few images from mass today…
We have reached the end of the thanksgiving mass now and Pope Leo is beginning to walk out of the chapel holding a golden cross.
Cardinals give him a round of applause as he walks past them.
The pontiff smiles and waves as he makes his way out.
The new pontiff is now leading a blessing in Latin.
Sacramental bread, also called Communion bread, is being given in the Sistine Chapel as prayers are sung.
The Holy Father Pope Leo has just been exchanging the sign of peace with the principal celebrants at the altar.
He then moves to doing the same with cardinals from the congregation.
A rousing, harmonious chorus of Amen just echoed throughout the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Leo started the singing himself.
Pope Leo leads the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel in prayer.
The cardinals are now back on their feet, united in song.
Watch and listen along at the top of the page.
With mass under way in the Sistine Chapel, our Europe producer in Rome, Simone Baglivo, has some comments to bring us that were said by Pope Leo at dinner yesterday evening.
The new pontiff told cardinals at Casa Santa Marta after his election: „We’re in the middle of a new revolution: at the time of Leo XIII there was an industrial revolution, now there is a digital revolution.“
He also added he wanted to „pay more attention to social and justice issues“.
Pope Leo is to keep sleeping at Casa Santa Marta for all the next week at least, we understand.
After maintenance work at the Apostolic Palace’s papal apartment are completed, he will make a decision if he wants to move there (as is the tradition) or if he wants to stay at Casa Santa Marta (as Pope Francis who broke the tradition did).
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New pope live: Pope Leo warns of reducing Jesus to 'charismatic leader' – after speaking English at start of first mass – Sky News
