On May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope in history, delivered his inaugural address just one hour after his election. As the crowd in St. Peter's Square cheered, he called for peace, echoing the words of the Risen Christ: “Peace be with you all!” In a world divided by conflict, Leo XIV urged followers to "build bridges" through dialogue and encounter, paying tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, and declaring, "God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail."

“Peace be with you all!”

Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave his life for God's flock. I wish for this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, everyone, everywhere, all peoples, the entire earth. May peace be with you! It is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and enduring. It comes from God, from God who loves us all unconditionally. We can still hear in our ears the gentle yet courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome! The Pope blessing Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the entire world, this Easter morning. Allow me to continue this same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail! We are all in God's hands. Therefore, without fear, united hand in hand with God and with each other, let us move forward. We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as a bridge to God and His love. Help each other build bridges, through dialogue, through encounter, all united to be one people always in peace. Thank you to Pope Francis!

I also want to thank all my brother cardinals who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united Church, always seeking peace, justice, always striving to work as faithful men and women of Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel, to be missionaries.

I am a son of Saint Augustine

I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian, who said: "With you, I am a Christian, and for you, a bishop." In this sense, we can all walk together toward this homeland God has prepared for us.

A special greeting to the Church of Rome!

We must together seek how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, that dialogues, always open to receive, like this square, with open arms, all, all those who need our charity, our presence, our dialogue, and our love.

(In Spanish)

Y si me permiten también, una palabra, un saludo a todos aquellos y en modo particular a mi querida diócesis de Chiclayo, en el Perú, donde un pueblo fiel ha acompañado a su obispo, ha compartido su fe y ha dado tanto, tanto para seguir siendo Iglesia fiel de Jesucristo.

And if you allow me a word, a greeting to everyone, especially to my dear diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people have supported their bishop, shared their faith, and given so much to continue being a faithful Church of Jesus Christ.

To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, of Italy, of the whole world, we want to be a synodal Church, a Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, always seeks charity, always seeks to be close, especially to those who suffer.

Today is the day of the Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary always wants to walk with us, to be close, to help us through her intercession and love. I would like to pray with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world, and ask Mary, our Mother, for this special grace. The Pope's greeting concluded with the prayer of the Ave Maria, the blessing Urbi et Orbi, and the granting of the plenary indulgence.