Just days into his new role, Pope Leo I began laying out his vision for the Church and the wider world. In his first meeting with the cardinals who elected him, he addressed some of the most pressing global concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to confront the rise of artificial intelligence. He warned that AI poses serious challenges to the defense of human dignity, justice, and labor, making it a critical area for the Church’s moral and ethical leadership.
Soon after the meeting, Pope Leo paid a personal tribute to his predecessor by visiting the tomb of Pope Francis and laying a single white rose. The visit was a quiet yet powerful gesture of continuity and respect. In the Vatican, the chimney that had earlier signaled his election with a plume of white smoke was ceremonially dismantled, marking the close of the conclave and the beginning of a new era.
Pope Leo later traveled just outside the Vatican for his first trip beyond its walls, visiting an ancient Augustinian shrine south of Rome. Greeted by large crowds and the flash of countless camera phones, he arrived in a modest Volkswagen van. After greeting the faithful, he exclaimed, “Viva Maria,” in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
In Peru, where Pope Leo spent nearly two decades in pastoral service, communities celebrated his election with pride. Known locally as Papa León, he had become deeply integrated into Peruvian life, even acquiring citizenship. Many in Chiclayo, where he had served, now feel a special connection to the new Pope, viewing him as one of their own.
Meanwhile, in the United States, his home country, celebrations also erupted. His lifelong devotion to the Chicago White Sox was highlighted by images of him attending the 2005 World Series. At Villanova University in Philadelphia, his alma mater, the Augustinian community fondly remembered him as “Bob,” their brother, now elevated to the papacy.
As Pope Leo begins the first full week of his papacy, his schedule is already filled with important milestones. He is set to lead his first Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square, which is expected to draw large crowds. The major event on the horizon is his official inauguration Mass next Sunday, which will be attended by leaders from around the globe marking his first opportunity to address the world as the new head of the Catholic Church.