Peace Be With You: Pope Leo XIV’s First Words as Pontiff Inspire Unity and Hope

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Peace be with you all!

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Dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God.

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I, too, wish this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, and all people, wherever they are — all peoples, all the earth: Peace be with you.

This is the peace of the Risen Christ: a disarming and humble peace, persevering and unarmed. It comes from God, who loves us all unconditionally.

We still remember that soft, yet courageous voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome and extended his blessing to the whole world that Easter morning.

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Allow me to continue that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God.

Therefore, without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we move forward. We are disciples of Christ.

Christ goes before us. The world needs His light. Humanity needs Him as a bridge to reach God and His love.

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Let us help one another to build bridges through dialogue and encounter — all of us together, as one people, always in peace.

Thank you, Pope Francis.

I also thank all the brother cardinals who have chosen me as the successor of Peter, to walk with you as one Church, always seeking peace, justice, and fidelity to Jesus Christ — without fear, proclaiming the Gospel and being missionaries.

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I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said: “With you I am a Christian, for you I am a bishop.” And so, together, let us walk toward that homeland God has prepared for us.

To the Church of Rome, a special greeting: let us strive together to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, that welcomes and embraces everyone — like this square — open to those who need our charity, presence, dialogue, and love.

If you allow me, I would also like to greet in Spanish my beloved diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where a faithful people walked with their bishop, shared their faith, and gave so much to remain a Church faithful to Jesus Christ.

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To all of you, brothers and sisters from Rome, from Italy, from around the world, we want to be a synodal Church — a Church that walks, that always seeks peace, always seeks love, always draws near, especially to those who suffer.

Today is the day of Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our Mother Mary wants always to walk with us, to remain near us, to help us with her intercession and love.

Let us pray together — for this new mission, for the entire Church, and for peace in the world — asking for grace through Mary, our Mother.

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Hail Mary…

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