Von Ryan Relos

In the ten days since his election on May 8, Pope Leo XIV has set a tone of humility, global outreach, and continuity with his predecessors. As the first American and Augustinian pope, his actions reflect a commitment to peace, social justice, and pastoral care.

A Message of Peace

From the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the world with the words, “Peace be with you all!”—echoing the risen Christ and signaling his dedication to peace.  This message was reinforced in his first Sunday address, where he called for global peace and prayed for an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. 

Engagement with the Faithful

On May 11, Pope Leo led the “Regina Caeli” prayer emphasizing support for youth in their spiritual callings and honoring Mother’s Day attendees.  He also visited the Marian shrine in Genazzano and prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis, demonstrating his pastoral commitment. 

Diplomatic Efforts

Pope Leo met with His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, who invited him to Kyiv and presented a list of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. While a visit to Kyiv is considered premature, the Pope pledged to pursue all diplomatic efforts to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Embracing Modern Communication

Continuing the tradition of his predecessors, Pope Leo published his first posts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), sharing messages of peace and photos from his early days as pontiff.  He also met with journalists, thanking them for their service to the truth and engaging in light-hearted banter, including a joke about playing tennis with Italian star Jannik Sinner.

Looking Ahead

Pope Leo XIV’s formal installation is scheduled for May 18, coinciding with the feast of St. John I and what would have been St. John Paul II’s 105th birthday. His early actions suggest a papacy focused on humility, engagement, and continuity, aiming to guide the Church through contemporary challenges with faith and compassion.