In his first homily as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV addressed the College of Cardinals at the Sistine Chapel with a heartfelt message calling the Church to humility, evangelization, and holiness. Quoting Psalm 98 — “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done marvelous deeds” — he opened in English and continued in Italian, marking a symbol of his global mission.
A Call for Unity and Mission
Pope Leo XIV reminded the cardinals and faithful that he had been entrusted with the mission of Peter: to proclaim the Good News. He expressed confidence in walking this path together with the community of believers, referring to the Church as “a city set on a hill” and a “beacon that lights up the world’s nights,” not for its structures, but for the holiness of its people.
Critique of a Secularized World
The Pope warned against the modern temptation to reduce Christianity to something outdated or irrational. He stressed that many people — even among the baptized — treat Jesus as nothing more than a charismatic leader, stripping away the divine core of Christian faith. He called this an “effective atheism” and urged believers to resist these worldly narratives.
A Pontificate of Evangelization
With roots in the U.S. and decades of missionary service in Peru, Pope Leo XIV made clear that his pontificate will focus on the renewal of evangelization, unity in diversity, and humble leadership inspired by Christ. His words echoed the vision of his predecessor, Pope Francis, calling for a Church that is close to people and not afraid to go out to the margins.
First Appointments and Schedule
The Holy See has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will hold his first public general audience on May 21, followed by a strategic meeting with the Roman Curia on May 24.
