The newly elected leader of the Catholic church, Pope Leo XIV, has appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
He made his first appearance on the balcony of St.Peter’s Basilica, offering blessings and greetings to the faithful as he began his papacy as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, the 69-year-old says: “Peace be with all of you.
“Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, saying he wants to deliver his own blessing to the people as Pope Francis did in his last appearance in St Peter’s Square.
“Humanity needs Christ as a bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges.”
Pope Leo XIV then thanked the cardinals who elected him during the two-day conclave.
“We can all walk together towards that homeland God has prepared for us,” he says. “A special greeting to the Church of Rome.”
Provost then switches to Spanish to thank his former diocese in Peru “where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot”.
