Pope Leo, Taking Helm of a Divided Church, Urges Unity

On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV officially commenced his role as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church with a public Mass held outdoors in St. Peter’s Square. Addressing global leaders, the church hierarchy, and over 100,000 faithful, the new pope emphasized the need for unity that respects the church’s diverse nature.

During his homily, Leo sought to bridge the gap between those who advocate for continuing the inclusive approach championed by Pope Francis and those favoring a more conservative, traditional stance. The cardinals tasked with selecting the new pontiff, he noted, were looking for “a shepherd capable of safeguarding the rich heritage of the Christian faith while simultaneously looking forward to addressing the contemporary issues and challenges of today’s world.”

Leo, an American with Peruvian citizenship, humbly acknowledged his new role, saying, “I was chosen, not because of my merits, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother.” He expressed a desire for all to be “united as one family.”

The ceremony also marked Pope Leo’s emergence onto the global stage. On Sunday, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling for negotiations aimed at achieving a fair and lasting peace. He also addressed ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and urged the international community not to forget those “reduced to hunger.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who previously had a contentious meeting with Zelensky at the White House, was present and briefly greeted the Ukrainian leader before the Mass. Vance, described by the White House as “the first Catholic convert” to hold the position, later exchanged a brief handshake with the pope during a receiving line of dignitaries.

Whether Vance would have a private audience with Leo before his Monday departure remained uncertain.

The day was steeped in symbolic rituals that visibly moved the new pontiff. Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, took a tour of St. Peter’s Square as the crowd chanted his name, many capturing the moment on their phones. Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, he prayed at the tomb traditionally considered to be that of Saint Peter before emerging to celebrate the Mass.

During the ceremony, a cardinal slipped the Fisherman’s Ring onto his finger, symbolizing his papal authority. Leo paused to gaze at it, appearing deeply emotional. He also donned vestments symbolizing his role as the spiritual shepherd and received pledges of obedience from both laypeople and clergy.

Echoing Jesus’ call to be a “fisher of humanity,” Leo reaffirmed the church’s mission to evangelize, while cautioning against coercion or forceful conversion. “It is not about capturing others by force, religious propaganda, or exerting power,” he said, “but through love.”

Leo emphasized that a true pastor must stay close to the people, like Peter, the first pope, resisting the urge to become an authoritarian ruler. He advocated for a “missionary spirit,” warning against isolating the church in insular groups or feeling superior to others.

He also underscored the importance of unity that embraces diversity, a concept central to Saint Augustine, whose order Leo once led as a young man. This theme resonated with many cardinals seeking to reconcile divisions within the church without forsaking the inclusive vision of Pope Francis.

Supporters of Francis expressed relief that Leo appears committed to maintaining the former pope’s welcoming stance. Reassuring them, Leo said, “I seek a unity that does not erase differences but rather values each person’s unique journey and the cultural and religious backgrounds of all people.”

Beyond church matters, Leo expressed concern about broader global issues, condemning hatred, violence, and economic systems that exploit the vulnerable and deplete the Earth’s resources.

Among the crowd was Marilyn Heller, a lawyer from Long Island, who was visibly moved after the ceremony. “A pope from the U.S.,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. “It feels like a new chapter for the church, a fresh start.”