VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV offered a message of love and unity during an inaugural Mass on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 200,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes.

Pope Leo XIV presided over his inaugural mass on Sunday before a crowd of some 200,000 people. The big picture: Leo — with world leaders, religious delegations and faithful alike watching — evoked some messages reminiscent of his predecessor Pope Francis and called for love and unity.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American leader of the Catholic Church, called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine at his inaugural mass.

An open-topped popemobile carrying Pope Leo XIV drove through St Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday morning, ahead of his inaugural mass.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of "love and unity" during his inaugural mass on Sunday. Leo held his inaugural Mass on Sunday, in what marked the official start of his pontificate. It came after the Chicago native was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8,

An American flag is displayed as Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, waves as he arrives to celebrate his inauguration Mass at the Vatican May 18, 2025. He is the first American pope in history. (OSV News photo/Andy Abeyta, Reuters)

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff for the Roman Catholic Church, will celebrate his inaugural mass on Sunday, according to the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV spoke in front of 200,000 people during his inaugural mass on Sunday, speaking on messages of unity and those suffering due to war.

Former SGF Babachir Lawal dismissed Tinubu’s Vatican visit as mere lobbying, criticised the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and said PDP was excluded from coalition talks.