Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass, Calls Election a Cross and Blessing

Pope Leo XIV, history's first North American pope, acknowledged his great responsibility while addressing the cardinals

- ASSOCIATED PRESS VATICAN CITY, 9 MAY

Pope Leo XIV, history's first North American pope, said Friday that his election was both a cross and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass in Sistine Chapel.

Leo spoke off-the-cuff in English to the cardinals who elected him to lead the Catholic Church and follow in Pope Francis' social justice-minded footsteps.

He acknowledged the great responsibility they had placed on him before delivering a brief but dense homily on the need to joyfully spread Christianity in a world that often mocks it.