Pope Leo XIV spoke of unity and those suffering due to war during his inaugural mass in St. Peter’s Square.

The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, who is the first American pope, spoke before 200,000 people on Sunday, Vatican News said. 

“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 said during his homily, the Associated Press reported. 

“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.”

Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Andrew Medichini)

The pope said he “strongly felt the spiritual presence of Pope Francis accompanying us from heaven.”

He concluded by inviting Catholics to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under her titles as “Star of the Sea and Our Lady of Good Counsel,” to entrust his ministry.

Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (Domenico Stinellis)

“We implore her intercession,” he said, “for the gift of peace, for support and comfort for those who suffer, and for the grace for all of us to be witnesses to the Risen Lord.”

Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.