Pope Leo XIV’s homily, delivered at his official inaugural mass, emphasized the importance of unity among faithful while strongly rejecting the use of religious propaganda to sway beliefs and actions around the world.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo focused on fostering understanding and compassion within the Christian community.
Pope Leo XIV’s homily, his first, highlighted the dangers of divisive rhetoric and manipulation in religious discourse, advocating instead for genuine dialogue and a commitment to core values that promote love and solidarity.
“We are called to offer God’s love to everyone to achieve that unity which does not cancel our differences but values the personal history of each person,” he said, highlighting the importance of diversity within the Church.
Drawing on the legacy of St. Peter, he stressed that leadership must avoid autocracy, instead fostering a spirit of service and togetherness.
He continued: “Brothers and sisters, I would like our first great desire is for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”
He said the “ministry of Peter”, Jesus’s disciple on whose tomb the Vatican is said to be built, was “distinguished” by “self-sacrificing love”.
“Because the Church of Rome presides in charity, and its true authority is the charity of Christ, it is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda, or using power,” he added.
Pope Leo XIV’s homily comes at a time when the Catholic Church faces internal divisions, particularly between conservative and progressive factions, as well as external challenges like declining attendance in regions such as Europe and a priest shortage in the U.S.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the message was delivered to an estimated 150,000 attendees, including world leaders like U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
