A papacy begins: Pope Leo XIV calls for united Church at inaugural Mass

Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as head of the 1.4 billion members of the universal Catholic Church with a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA Vatican City, May 18, 2025 / 06:58 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV on Sunday formally began his ministry as head of the 1.4 billion members of the universal Catholic Church, acknowledging divisions among the faithful with a call for fraternal communion and unity at his inaugural…