New Pope Leo XIV to hold first Mass in Sistine Chapel

9/5/2025 16:58

Newly installed Pope Leo XIV will hold a Mass with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Friday, a day after he was elected as the surprise choice to be the leader of the Catholic Church, becoming the first U.S. pontiff.



The choice of Cardinal Robert Prevost, who is originally from Chicago but served for many years as a missionary in Latin America, followed a swift two-day conclave that was wrapped up on Thursday evening when white smoke billowed from the chimney on the chapel.



After the Mass, Leo will have lunch with the cardinals who elected him and they will then be free to leave the Vatican and return to their homes around the world.



The successor to Pope Francis, who died last month at the age of 88, inherits a number of major challenges, ranging from a budget shortfall to divisions over whether the Church should be more welcoming towards the LGBT community and divorcees, and should let women play a greater role in its affairs.



"Peace be with you all," Leo told the cheering crowd on Thursday evening, speaking in fluent Italian. He also spoke in Spanish during his brief address but did not say anything in English.