First American Pope, Leo XIV, Holds First Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square

Historic Election and Installation

• 🇻🇦 Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, is settling into his role at the Vatican.
• 🗓️ His formal installation as Pope is scheduled for May 18th, but he has already begun his duties.

First Mass and Papal Address

• ⛪ On Friday, Pope Leo XIV held his first mass as pope in the Sistine Chapel.
• 🗣️ He delivered his first homily in English, expressing his reliance on the community of believers to spread the gospel.
• 👏 Cardinals showed their support with applause as he concluded his address.

Election Process and Reactions

• 🤫 Details are emerging about the secretive conclave that elected Cardinal Robert Francis Pvost.
• 😮 His brother described the moment of acceptance as if he was "made for it."
• 🤝 Cardinal Bo from Myanmar expressed excitement about the first American pope, seeing him as a potential bridge-builder for dialogue.

Public Celebration and Support

• 🏟️ Over 150,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square on Thursday to witness this historic event.
• 🎓 Catholic communities across the US, including Chicago classrooms and Villanova University (the Pope's alma mater), celebrated the moment.