New Pope takes charge
Kochi: The new Pope Leo XIV became the first American-born of the Global Catholic Church to take charge as Pope with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Sunday.
Thousands of people, including dozens of world leaders and European royalty were present on the occasion.
Speaking in Italian, the Pope Leo XIV said “Peace be with you and your spirits.” He later said the church must confront modern challenges while maintaining its traditions, and rejected what he called “religious propaganda” and the misuse of power.
Leo vowed to preserve the Catholic Church’s heritage and not rule like “an autocrat.”
Vice President J D Vance attended Pope Leo’s inaugural mass probably to set the tone for the Trump administration’s relationship with the new pope.
Leo exhorted the church to confront modern challenges and maint its traditions.
The new pontiff rode into the square on a popemobile for the first time ahead of his investiture wearing the Pallium, made of lambswool.
Photo : X
