Vatican City — Newly elected Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first mass as head of the Catholic Church on Friday, presiding over a private gathering of cardinals in the Sistine Chapel.

 

According to the Vatican, the US-born pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, delivered his much-anticipated first homily during the intimate ceremony.

 

Leo XIV, the 267th pope and spiritual leader to over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, was elected on Thursday following a secret conclave held by cardinals within the Sistine Chapel. His election was announced to the world from the iconic balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he greeted thousands of cheering pilgrims—many of whom were unfamiliar with the humble figure before them.

 

Born in Chicago, Prevost spent over two decades serving in Peru as a missionary. Though he was made a cardinal only in 2023, he had reportedly been on shortlists of potential popes among Vatican observers, admired for his pastoral humility and global experience.

 

Over the coming days, Pope Leo XIV’s actions and messages will be closely watched, beginning with Friday’s mass, Sunday’s Regina Coeli prayer, and a scheduled meeting with journalists at the Vatican on Monday.

 

In Peru, where he served for years, tributes poured in. Bishop Luis Alberto Barrera of El Callao praised the new pope’s simple, relatable approach. “He showed his closeness and simplicity with the people. He was a very simple person who adapted to everything, like any good missionary,” he said.

 

Back in his hometown of Chicago, celebrations broke out in recognition of a native son ascending to the papacy. Known for his love of baseball, deep-dish pizza, and his working-class roots on the South Side, Leo XIV was fondly remembered by his former parish community.

 

The Chicago Tribune hailed him as “the pride and joy of every priest and nun” from his local parish, where he once served as an altar boy.