Pope Leo says Church must illuminate ‘dark nights of this world’ in first Mass

• Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Mass as the new pontiff
• He tells cardinals in the Sistine Chapel that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the “dark nights of this world”
• Born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, he is the first North American to be elected pope – Donald Trump called it a “great honour”
• Pope Leo, 69, is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru, which he reportedly calls his “second homeland”

The new pope has celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel, with over 130 cardinals in attendance. The Mass followed Pope Leo being named pontiff the day before following a two-day conclave.

The Mass saw Pope Leo kissing the altar in the Sistine Chapel and walking around it once with incense shortly after 11 a.m. local time.

The pope then led a prayer to ask God for forgiveness and acknowledge sins, before being joined by the congregation in singing and a period of worship.

“Through the Ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel,” Pope Leo said as he addressed the cardinals in English.

The leader went on to say that he wants his election to contribute in the Catholic Church providing light to drive out “dark nights of this world,” adding that he aims to be a “faithful administrator.”

“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent,” he said, per the outlet.

He continued that “missionary outreach is desperately needed” is needed in places that prefer “technology, money, success, power or pleasure.”

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, is a Peruvian-American from Chicago. Before he was named pope, the pontiff served as Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and became a Cardinal in 2023 (taking possession of it early 2024, per the Vatican). Each position was appointed to him by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

The new pontiff, 69, is the first pope from the United States, and the first Augustinian pope. His chosen papal name, Leo, follows a long tradition dating back to St. Leo I, who died in 461.

In his first address as pope, Leo XIV , spoke in English the first Pope to do so in his first mass after being elected and shared a message promoting peace ,and good works within the church.

“We must be a synodal church. A church that walks. A church that always seeks peace. Always seeks charity. Always tries to be close especially to those who suffer,” he said.

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