Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV made a humble pilgrimage – riding in a minivan to a Marian shrine outside Rome and stopping at St Mary Major to pray at Pope Francis’s tomb and before the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani.

In a festive St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV led his first Regina Coeli, urging prayers for vocations, peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and honoring Mother’s Day with warm wishes to all mothers. Entrusting it all to Mary, Queen of Peace, he renewed the plea: “Never again war.”

In his first address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV called the Catholic Church alive, beautiful, and strong, urging renewed commitment to Evangelii Gaudium and modern Catholic social teaching — especially in the face of AI and today’s evolving world.

In his first public homily, Pope Leo XIV called the Church to recognise God’s marvels, proclaim Christ boldly, and witness with humility. He reaffirmed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” urging believers to face today’s world with courage, faith, and love.

Pope Leo XIV has urged journalists to be peacemakers, rejecting prejudice and anger in their reporting. On 12 May, he also called for the release of imprisoned journalists, reminding the world: “The suffering of these journalists challenges the conscience of nations… we must safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.

During Good Shepherd Sunday Mass, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB reflected on the meaning of vocation and the courage it takes to say yes to God’s call. Speaking at St Mary’s Cathedral, he encouraged openness to vocations and highlighted the qualities of faith, love, and service, linking them to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, whose own journey began with a simple “yes” to God.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said he hopes Pope Leo XIV will “be a dear brother and collaborator … for the rapprochement of our churches, for the unity of the whole Christian family, and for the benefit of all of humankind.”

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, a Chicago-born missionary with decades of service in Peru, has been elected as Pope Leo XIV, the first North American pope. Known for his humility, global outlook, and deep compassion, he follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis with a vision of a Church that is inclusive, peace-seeking, and close to the poor.

On 7–8 May 2025, 133 cardinal electors convened in the Sistine Chapel for a historic conclave to elect the 267th pope. Following sacred rites and solemn prayers, black smoke on the first day signalled no decision, but by the second evening, white smoke and ringing bells announced: Habemus Papam — we have a pope.