Pope Leo XIV calls for the cessation of exploitation and hatred in his inaugural speech as pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV opened his papacy on Sunday with a mass attended by world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance. During the ceremony, he urged an end to the exploitation of nature and the marginalization of the poor.

About ten days after Robert Francis Prevost, originally from Chicago, became the first American to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, roughly 200,000 people gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness his inaugural mass. At 69 years old, Prevost appeared in the popemobile, greeting the crowds with smiles and blessings.

Addressing the assembly and dignitaries, including Zelensky and Vance, the new pope delivered a homily calling for transformation amid division and conflict.

He remarked, “In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.”

Having been made a cardinal only in 2023 and relatively unknown to many Catholics, Prevost has emphasized peace and social justice in the opening days of his papacy.

Later that day, he was set to hold his first private meeting with President Zelensky.

During a prayer at the ceremony’s close, he said, “The martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen.”

Among the crowd was Yona Tukuser, a 39-year-old artist from Odessa, who described Leo as “a pope for peace” dedicated to fostering dialogue.

Leo is the first pope from the United States, with American representation at the event including Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Vance, who was the last world leader to meet with the late Pope Francis, greeted Leo alongside other dignitaries. Although no private audience was scheduled for Sunday, one might still take place before his return to Washington.

Maria Grazia La Barbera, a 56-year-old pilgrim from Sicily, expressed confidence in the new pope, calling him “the right person at the right time” to lead the Church.

Before his election, Leo had publicly criticized aspects of the US administration’s immigration policies and expressed disapproval of Vance.

At the mass, he cautioned against isolation within small groups, encouraging openness and unity that respects individual histories and cultural identities.

Leo’s elevation has sparked enthusiasm in the United States but has also raised concerns about the influence of an American pontiff in global spiritual leadership.

Sophia Tripp, a 20-year-old student from Chicago, said she hoped the pope would unite people, emphasizing shared humanity and love.

Other attendees included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, various faith leaders, and European royals.

Security was extensive, with thousands of officers, rooftop snipers, and anti-drone measures in place.

Leo XIV was elected on May 8 as the 267th pope after less than a day of cardinal voting. He succeeded Pope Francis amid ongoing challenges related to clerical abuse scandals and adapting the Church to contemporary realities.

Acknowledging his new role, he spoke of humility and responsibility: “I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy.”

Before the mass, he visited the tomb of Saint Peter in the basilica bearing his name and received the traditional pontifical symbols—the pallium and the fisherman’s ring—marking the beginning of his papacy.