Inaugural mass: Tinubu, world leaders in attendance as Pope Leo XIV preaches love, urges end of division

CHIGOZIE AMADI

The Catholic Church inaugurated its 267th pope on Sunday, in an incense-laced rite heralding the start of a novel papacy.

A multitude of 200,000 faithful, stretched behind cardinals, bishops, royals, representatives of other faiths and dignitaries led by Italy’s prime minister and president, Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, US Vice President, JD Vance, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio Vice, Peruvian President, Dina Boluarte, as well as Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were among several world leaders who attended the inaugural mass at St. Peter’s Square.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. local time. It included the Mass and the papal rituals bestowing the Fisherman’s Ring, the imposition of the pallium and an homage by the cardinals.

In his homily, Leo urged rejection of hatred and division, and disavowed “an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest.”

Leo echoed the need for “unity”, but suggested it must also “co-exist” with another word embraced by church liberals: “diversity”.

He called on the faithful to aid the marginalised and poor and declared that religion and faith should not be imposed on others “by force.”

In words that reverberated through St. Peter’s Square, Leo appeared on Sunday to reach out to church conservatives, while also repeatedly invoking, and echoing, his predecessor Pope Francis, in calling for the respect of cultural and religious diversity and consideration for the marginalised.

“This is the missionary spirit that must animate us; not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people”, Leo said.

He bemoaned “an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources” and urged an end to the “hatred, violence and prejudice” cleaving nations in two.

“Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love”, Leo declared.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the prayerful and joyful support offered to him as he begins his pastoral ministry as Pope, Leo XIV recalled the intense emotions experienced over these past few weeks.

“Following the death of Pope Francis, we felt like sheep without a shepherd. Yet having received his final blessing on Easter Sunday, and with eyes of faith, hope, and joy, we remembered how the Lord never abandons His people”, he said.

The Pope also thanked everyone for accompanying in prayer the College of Cardinals meeting in conclave to elect the Successor of Peter as they looked at how to continue the mission of preaching the Gospel with a shepherd able to address today’s challenges.

He said they felt “the working of the Holy Spirit, who was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.”

“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling,” said Pope Leo, “I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.”

In the face of a world marked by so much discord and wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear, and economic reality “that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest”, the Pope said, “we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world.”

“We want to say to the world, with humility and joy: Look to Christ! Come closer to him! Welcome his word that enlightens and consoles! Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one. This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!”, he said.

The Pope upheld the missionary spirit, adding that such an approach will keep the Church from closing itself off in small groups or taking on a feeling of superiority to the world.

“We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people”, he said.