• Pope Leo XIV calls for unity during his inaugural Mass at St. Peter's Square before a large gathering.
• He vows to make the Catholic Church a symbol of peace amidst rising social discord and polarization.
• High-profile attendees included U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Leo expresses hope for peace in Ukraine and offers prayers for the people of Gaza.
• The inaugural Mass highlighted traditional symbols of the papacy, emphasizing continuity in the church's mission.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, delivered a powerful message calling for unity within the Catholic Church during his inaugural Mass held in St. Peter's Square, where he addressed an estimated crowd of 200,000 individuals, including various heads of state and religious leaders. The event marked the beginning of Leo's pontificate, as he took a traditional popemobile tour through the piazza, engaging with the crowd by waving and smiling from the back of the vehicle, an important symbol of the papacy's global outreach, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

During his homily, Pope Leo underscored his commitment to becoming a servant of the faithful through the principles of love and unity, stating, “I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” He expressed profound concerns about the discord in contemporary society, emphasizing the “too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, and the fear of difference,” as well as the exploitation of Earth's resources that marginalizes the poorest, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

The Mass was attended by notable guests, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attended as part of a prestigious U.S. delegation. This gathering included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who later met with Leo to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine. Visiting officials paid their respects at the tomb of the late Pope Francis, emphasizing continuity and collaboration in diplomatic relations following a period of significant division within the church, as captured by Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

Pope Leo also extended his thoughts to global humanitarian crises by offering prayers for those affected by violence in Gaza, where he expressed concerns about children and families "reduced to hunger," while explicitly omitting discussions on hostages taken by Hamas, signaling a potential shift from Francis' usual approach, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

The symbols of the papacy, including the lambswool stole and the fisherman's ring, were ceremonially placed upon Leo, illustrating the weight of his new responsibilities. Additionally, the Dewey succeeded in fostering a traditional atmosphere at the ceremony by emphasizing customs that align with conservative values, appealing to those within the church who sought a return to more formal practices after Francis' tenure, according to Indiatimes, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.