
Pope Leo XIV Captivates the World with Bold First Message
Only days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has shattered expectations, issuing a powerful first public address that resonated far beyond the walls of the Vatican.
Standing before a sea of nearly 100,000 worshippers in St. Peter’s Square, the newly elected pontiff delivered his inaugural Sunday blessing from the iconic loggia, using the global stage to issue an unflinching call for peace and justice. With unwavering clarity, he urged the world’s most powerful nations to take immediate action in war-torn regions and to stand with the oppressed.
“I, too, address the world’s great powers by repeating the ever-present call: ‘Never again, war,’” he declared, his voice reverberating across the square and into the hearts of millions watching around the world.
Focusing on two of the most volatile flashpoints—Ukraine and Gaza—Pope Leo echoed the sobering words of Pope Francis, describing today’s conflicts as fragments of a “third world war in pieces.” He spoke with deep compassion and urgency, saying, “I carry in my heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people. May everything possible be done to achieve a genuine, lasting peace—without delay.”
His plea extended to the release of prisoners of war and the safe return of displaced Ukrainian children, underscoring the human toll of conflict. Amid the heavy themes, the Pope offered a rare glimmer of hope by commending a recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan—an encouraging sign of diplomacy in a turbulent world.
In just one message, Pope Leo XIV signaled a papacy defined by courage, compassion, and global engagement—charting a bold course for the Church in the face of a fractured world.

Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost / Source: Getty Images
In his first address, Pope Leo XIV turned his attention to the Middle East, delivering a heartfelt and urgent call for peace in Gaza. With passion and clarity, he urged an immediate ceasefire, stressing the need for humanitarian aid to reach suffering civilians and for the release of all hostages. He also called for relief to be delivered to the weary and vulnerable civilian population, who have endured unimaginable hardship.
Sunday’s appearance was laden with powerful symbolism. From the Pope’s gestures on the balcony to his deliberate emphasis on unity within a fractured Catholic Church, Pope Leo clearly signaled that his papacy would be defined by reconciliation, unwavering truth, and a commitment to addressing global suffering head-on.

The tone Pope Leo XIV set with his powerful message clearly extends beyond global conflicts. Even before his election, his past statements and actions had come under intense scrutiny. In the hours following the emergence of the white smoke, a series of his old tweets resurfaced, revealing pointed critiques of prominent U.S. political figures—most notably JD Vance, now a key player in the Trump administration.
One tweet sharply declared, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” linking to an article from National Catholic Reporter. Another tweet challenged Vance’s views on religious duty, particularly his stance on immigration, adding further fuel to the ongoing debate about the Pope’s political positions.

The Pope’s personal stance on immigration came into sharper focus through comments made by his brother, Mr. Prevost, who offered a glimpse into Leo’s private convictions.
“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say,” Prevost remarked. “I know he’s deeply concerned about what’s happening with immigration. That much is certain. How far he’ll go with it, though, is anyone’s guess. But I’m sure he won’t just sit back. He’s not the silent type.” This insight was shared during a live segment on ABC News, where Alex Perez had the opportunity to speak with Pope Leo XIV’s brother, John Prevost, in Chicago.
In their conversation, Prevost also recalled a childhood story that seemed almost prophetic, hinting at his brother’s future as the pontiff. He shared a memory from their early years that left an impression: “The interesting thing — I don’t know how many people will find it interesting,” Prevost began with a smile, “But when he was in first grade, a woman who lived across the street from us, one of the neighborhood kids’ moms, said he would be the first American Pope.” Perez, taken aback, asked, “First grade!?” to which Prevost confidently affirmed, “Uh-huh!”

Still processing the revelation, Perez asked in disbelief, “A random woman told him he would be the pope?” Prevost chuckled before clarifying, “Well, they were neighbors, we knew them, but yes! Even at that age, he knew he was going to be a priest.”
What might have once been shrugged off as a casual remark from a local neighbor now takes on a haunting significance. With hindsight, it casts Pope Leo XIV’s early years in an almost fated light, as if the path to the papacy was always meant to be.

The story quickly spread across social media, where viewers reacted with a mixture of awe, reverence, and disbelief.
One user marveled, “Wow! He knew from first grade he would be a priest! He was definitely called to that life. And the neighbor’s prediction came true—impressive!” Another echoed the amazement, saying, “Wow, he’s only in 1st grade and already being prophesied to become pope. That’s mind-blowing 😮🤯,” while someone else commented, “Wow 😳😳😳, a prophecy about his papacy was made when he was a child.”
Equally captivated by the foresight of the unnamed neighbor, many wondered if she was still alive to witness the fulfillment of her prediction. “Need to know if that woman is still around to see this because that’s wild—to predict someone is going to be pope when they’re 7 [sic],” one person quipped. Another added, “WOW! That woman had the gift of prophecy!”
For some, the idea that Pope Leo had recognized his spiritual path so early was deeply moving. Many were left in awe, calling it “surreal” and “amazing” that such a young boy could have such clarity about his calling.

As the world continues to process the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, his brother admitted that he’s still trying to catch up. “To be honest, there hasn’t been a chance to really think about it. It’s been a whirlwind of phone calls, emails, messages, and interviews,” he shared with Alex Perez. “So I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet. It’s kind of surreal.”
Yet, amidst the surreal nature of it all, Prevost expressed a deep sense of pride. “This is incredible, not just because he’s the first pope from the United States, but the first American pope—and he’s my relative,” he marveled.
At first, Prevost didn’t believe it was even a possibility. “To tell you the truth, no,” he admitted when asked if he ever expected his brother to be elected pope. “I kept hearing there will never be an American pope, just because of the politics and the United States’ influence on the world stage.” However, when he heard that Pope Leo had made it to the final shortlist of three candidates, a flicker of hope began to emerge. “Then I thought, well, this could actually happen,” he reflected.
He mentioned that the first inkling of possibility came “maybe a day or two after” Pope Francis’s death, when speculation about the likely frontrunners started to heat up.

Prevost recalled speaking to his brother just days before the Conclave. “He kept saying, ‘No, that’s not true. That’s not true,’” he revealed. “He was trying to push it away, hoping it would just go away—but it didn’t.”
The moment Prevost learned of his brother’s election was unforgettable. He was reading a book when a text message came through: “There was white smoke.” Rushing to turn on the television, he called his niece. “We just sat there and watched it,” he recalled. “Then she said, ‘Look, the curtains are moving.’ I said, ‘Well, something’s coming up.’” When the announcement was made, his niece screamed.
“I said, ‘Oh my gosh, here we go.’ And then it was nonstop—phones, everything else,” Prevost added, still processing the whirlwind that followed.
Reflecting on what kind of leader Pope Leo XIV will be, Prevost described him as “a regular guy, just a down-to-earth person.” He attributed his brother’s grounded nature to his missionary work in South America. “He will look out for the disenfranchised, the poor, and those who don’t have a voice,” Prevost said. “I think he will follow the example of Saint Francis—pardon me, Pope Francis.”
When asked if Pope Leo would differ from his predecessor, Prevost speculated that the shift might not be as stark as some might expect. “I don’t know that you’ll see a huge difference,” he noted. He went on to explain that the two men had met years ago while the late Pope Francis was in Argentina and Pope Leo was in Peru. “They shared the same values,” Prevost emphasized.

When it comes to their upbringing, Prevost shared that while Pope Leo spent much of his later youth in religious institutions—ranging from an Augustinian seminary in Holland, Michigan, to Villanova University—their early years in Chicago were filled with the simple, everyday memories of childhood.
“He wasn’t home much during summer vacations,” Prevost recalled. “But when he was home growing up, we were just regular kids. We didn’t really think about anything else.” Despite the weight of what lay ahead, the brothers’ final conversation before the Conclave was surprisingly ordinary—and even playful. “First, we do ‘Wordle’—that’s a regular thing for us,” Prevost shared. “Then we play ‘Words with Friends.’ It’s just something to keep his mind off life and the real world.”
What followed was a lighthearted exchange meant to ease the tension of the moment. “I asked him, ‘Well, do you have your red socks?’” Prevost said with a laugh. “Just little things like that.”

In an effort to bring some levity to the weight of the days ahead, Prevost even jokingly brought up a recent film. “I said, ‘Well, are you ready for this? Did you watch the movie Conclave so you know how to behave?’”
As it turns out, Pope Leo had just finished watching it. “So, he knew how to behave,” Prevost laughed. These seemingly trivial moments—word games, playful teasing, movie references—were, in fact, a brother’s quiet way of helping the other shoulder the monumental weight of history.
“I wanted to take his mind off of it, you know, and laugh about something,” Prevost shared. “Because now, this is an awesome responsibility.”
As the world watches closely, major media outlets like CNN have been providing ongoing coverage of this historic papal transition. In the hours following the announcement, the network spotlighted key moments and reactions tied to Pope Leo’s election. CNN emphasized the significance of Cardinal Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — becoming the first U.S.-born pontiff in Catholic Church history. His inaugural address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica before tens of thousands of onlookers was a moment of profound importance.
In his brief but powerful remarks, Pope Leo honored his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, while calling for global unity and peace. CNN’s coverage also highlighted the new pontiff’s distinctive background. At 69, Pope Leo brings with him a wealth of international experience, having spent decades as a missionary in South America. He also held Peruvian citizenship while serving as a bishop and led one of the Vatican’s most influential departments—the one responsible for appointing bishops.
The international community has responded swiftly and positively. CNN reported a wave of congratulatory messages from world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who called the moment “a great honor for the country.” Global leaders expressed optimism about working alongside the new pope to address pressing challenges. The Vatican officially confirmed the historic news on May 8, 2025, with a succinct but momentous press release shared by Vatican News.
The statement read, “’Peace be with all of you!’ — the very first words spoken by Pope Leo XIV. The Conclave has elected Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost as the 267th Bishop of Rome. The new pope was announced to the waiting crowds by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti.” Cardinal Mamberti made the formal announcement from the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica, proclaiming to the assembled faithful, “I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope.”
His election was revealed with the timeless declaration, Habemus Papam, signaling that a new chapter in Church history had begun. Vatican News also shared iconic photographs of Pope Leo as he greeted the faithful for the first time.
Standing beneath the centuries-old balcony of Saint Peter’s, he delivered his Urbi et Orbi blessing — a solemn and sacred tradition that marked not only the beginning of his papacy but also a moment of profound unity, hope, and spiritual renewal for Catholics worldwide.