Why Pope Leo Calls His Appointment a Cross and a Blessing

Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, made history on Thursday, May 8, when he was elected as the first American Pope. The Chicago native, who has spent many years serving as a missionary in Peru, took to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and addressed the cheering crowd, speaking in Spanish and Italian.

Read More: ‘Peace Be With You’: Pope Leo XIV Steps Onto the World Stage

On Friday morning, Pope Leo spoke once more when he presided over his first mass as Pontiff.

Dressed in a white robe with a gold border and a tall white miter, and holding a gold crucifix, Pope Leo delivered his first homily during which he spoke in his native English, as well as Latin and Italian, to the cardinals who elected him just a day before.

Leo referred to being appointed Pope as both a cross and a blessing, and spoke of the responsibility he and the cardinals have to spread Christianity in a world that sometimes mocks faith.

“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, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel,” the new Bishop of Rome said in English.

He warned against “practical atheism” among Christians who see Jesus as more of a “charismatic leader” than the savior, and praised the late Pope Francis as he emphasized his predecessor’s missionary focus as a leader. Leo vowed to be a voice for “ordinary people.” His initial approach to the papal responsibility appears to reflect the lessons learned during his decades of missionary work abroad, as well the approach taken by that of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, who notably defended the rights of working people and focused on the poor.

The newly-elected Pope also lamented the prioritization of “technology, money, success, power, or pleasure” over faith and religiosity. He said although is not easy to do missionary work in places where faith is “mocked,” that is where missionary work is most needed.

“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” he said.

Pope Leo’s words come as he looks down the barrel of many challenges he will face as Rome’s new Pontiff. Challenges that include efforts to make the Catholic Church more inclusive—discussions that often look at the treatment of LGBTQ+ Catholics—and the geographic diversity of the Catholic community. Francis consistently reaffirmed the importance of diversity, dismissing the idea that nationality or geography should determine a person’s standing within the Catholic Church. Leo will also have to decide how the Catholic Church approaches matters concerning President Donald Trump who, in February, set up a task force to “end the anti-Christian weaponization of government and unlawful conduct targeting Christians.” Leo’s predecessor, the late Pope Francis, famously disagreed with Trump on issues including immigration and the environment.