Clear signals at first address: Leo XIV introduces himself to the world

Vatican City - The name, a first short speech and the blessing "Urbi et orbi" – this is the first encounter of a new pope with the world. The first pope from the USA, Leo XIV, used it in his own way.

Published on 08.05.2025 at 19:59 –

"Peace be with you all" - with this cry, the first Pope from the USA, Leo XIV, greeted the cheering crowds in St Peter's Square on Thursday evening. He continued: "I hope that this greeting of peace will reach all nations and all people." It is "an unarmed and disarming peace", the new Pope continued.

Following on from his predecessor, Leo XIV declared that God loves all people without conditions. With moving words, he recalled the weak voice of his predecessor Francis, with which he had spoken during his last blessing on Easter Sunday. He wanted to continue this blessing.

"God loves you all"

"God loves you all," said the new Pope. "Evil will not win." Leo repeatedly emphasised that the Church is called upon to build bridges and seek dialogue. In his partly improvised speech, he continued: "We want to walk together, seeking peace and justice without fear. We want to travel together as missionaries."

Towards the end of his speech, he switched from Italian to Spanish and greeted his former diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. There, he said, he had experienced a faithful people who had accompanied their bishop on their journey together. Prevost was bishop in the South American country from 2014 to 2023. He continued in Italian: "We want to be a synodal church on the way. We want to be close to all those who suffer."

Unlike his predecessor Francis, Leo had donned the traditional red stole with the four evangelists as he stepped onto the blessing gloggia. Visibly moved, smiling and waving several times, he greeted the cheering crowd. (KNA)