Pope Leo XIV Leads Prayer in St. Peter’s Basilica Days After Being Elected — and Includes Nod to Predecessor Pope Francis

Pope Leo XIV led a prayer on his first Sunday as pontiff.

The new pope, elected on May 8 after a two-day conclave, led the Regina caeli prayer, “Queen of Heaven” in Latin, which is often spoken between Easter Sunday and Pentecost, inside the Sistine Chapel around noon local time on Sunday, May 11.

“Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday,” the Pope said, per a Vatican News English translation. “I consider it a gift from God that the first Sunday of my service as Bishop of Rome is Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Easter.”

“On this Sunday, we always hear proclaimed at Mass a passage from the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John,” he continued. “Where Jesus reveals himself as the true shepherd, who knows and loves his sheep and gives his life for them.”

“This Sunday also marks the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and Rome is also hosting the Jubilee of Bands and Popular Entertainment today. I greet all these pilgrims with affection, and I thank them because with their music and performances, they enliven the feast of Christ the Good Shepherd. Yes, it is him who guides the church with his holy spirit,” Pope Leo XIV added.

The religious figure then went on to emphasize the importance that young people who on their “vocational journey” be able to find acceptance and role models within their communities.  

“Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his message for today,” the Pope said. “The invitation to welcome and accompany young people, and let us ask our heavenly father to assist us in living in service to one another.”

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After praying in Latin, Pope Leo XIV recalled the tragedy of World War II, as he called for peace amid conflicts in Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Gaza.

He then greeted visitors from several countries, before honoring all those marking Mother’s Day. “Thank you to all of you and have a good Sunday,” the Pope concluded.

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Days earlier, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass with over 130 members the College of Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, marking one of his first acts as the new pope.

On May 9, less than 24 hours after his election, Pope Leo XIV kissed the altar inside the chapel and led a prayer to ask god for his forgiveness and acknowledge their sins, per the BBC.

“Through the Ministry of Peter, you have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission and I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel,” he said in English.

The pontiff added that he hoped his election would help rid the “dark nights of this world.”

In his first public address as pope, he stood on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, with his “brother cardinals” standing in balconies on either side of him, and offered a message promoting peace.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, also thanked the voting cardinals, his diocese in Chiclayo, Peru and his predecessor, the late Pope Francis — who elevated him to cardinal in 2023.

“We still keep in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome. The Pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world that morning on Easter Sunday,” he said. “Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all and evil will not prevail.”

Pope Leo XIV will next meet with the media in Paul VI Hall, according to the Vatican, on Monday, May 12, at 10 a.m. local time.