Peace be with you all. I want to offer a blessing of peace that will reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. – the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV began, having stepped onto the balcony at The Vatican to face thousands upon thousands of gathered faithful.
Addressing the cheering crowd in Italian, 69-year-old said: “Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”
Noting that “God loves us all, unconditionally,” he paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“Humanity needs Christ as a bridge so as to be reached by God and his love. Help us, and help each other, build bridges,” he said.
He thanked the cardinals who elected him during the two-day conclave.
“We can all walk together towards that homeland God has prepared for us,” he said.
He gave a few words in Spanish to thank those who had traveled from Peru, “where a loyal people has shared its faith and has given a lot.”
After concluding his speech, the new Pope read a religious passage in Latin, paying homage to the saints and the Madonna.
The bells of St Peter’s Basilica are now ringing and the Pope has left the balcony.
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