Pope's mission to bring light to 'dark nights of this world'

POPE Leo XIV said he hoped his election can bring light to the “dark nights of this world”.

- By Stephen Beech

The new pontiff, 69, told cardinals in the Sistine Chapel of his vision as he celebrated his first Mass as head of the Catholic Church’s global community of 1.4 billion people.

The 267th Pope, the first North American to be elected to the office, is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru.

Beacon

The first Mass as pontiff was held less than 24 hours after he was elected by cardinals who had gathered in the Sistine Chapel.