VATICAN CITY — In his first major address since being elected the 267th pope, newly inaugurated Pope Leo XIV affirmed his intention to continue the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Speaking before the College of Cardinals on Saturday, the Chicago-born pontiff praised Francis for his “complete dedication to service” and commitment to a life marked by humility and simplicity.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, described the papacy as a role of servant leadership, calling himself “a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this.” In a tone of reverence, he referred to himself as the “unworthy Successor” of Saint Peter and urged the Church to uphold the values of simplicity, faith, and hope.
He explained that his decision to adopt the name Leo XIV was a tribute to Pope Leo XIII, a 19th-century pontiff known for championing workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution. Pope Leo XIV emphasized the relevance of Catholic social teaching in the face of current global challenges, particularly those arising from a new technological era.
“I chose the name Leo XIV to honor the memory of a pope who addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution,” he stated. “Today, we face another revolution—driven by artificial intelligence and technological change—requiring renewed commitment to the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor.”
In his first homily on Friday, Pope Leo XIV called for the Church to rekindle faith among the faithful, warning that spiritual neglect often accompanies societal ills such as family breakdown, moral apathy, and widespread injustice. He urged a return to mercy and compassion as central values in addressing these wounds.
Though not widely known before the conclave, Pope Leo XIV was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023 and had appeared on several Vatican observers’ shortlists of potential successors. His early remarks suggest a papacy that will be closely watched, particularly in how it navigates contemporary moral and technological questions.
On Sunday, the new pope is scheduled to deliver the Regina Coeli prayer from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, his first major public address to the global Catholic community.
