The new Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel today, just 24 hours after his election. In his homily, he warned of the dangers of a lack of faith and expressed hope that the church can be a light in the world's “dark nights.”
The new pope, former Cardinal Robert Prevost, who is also the first American in the Catholic Church's history to hold the post, appeared calm and confident. Prevost, who was born in Chicago but served as a missionary in Peru for two decades, is also the first American to hold the post.
During the Mass, he spoke at first in English and then continued his sermon in fluent Italian. In his homily, the 69-year-old spiritual leader emphasized his desire to serve as a “faithful ruler” for the entire church.
