Gabriel Gama
Sao Paulo, SP (Folhapress) – Pope Leo 14, as he chose to be called, is the first pontiff born in the United States.
In his first speech as Pope, Leo 14 spoke to a multitude of faithful present in São Pedro Square. Preached unarmed, disarmed, humble and persevering peace. He made honors to Pope Francis and asked the union among the peoples.
The new pontiff spoke in Italian for most of the speech. He adopted the Spanish language when he greeted the diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where he was a missionary and lived for two decades.
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Read the full speech below
“Peace be with you all!
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life through the flock of God.
I would also like this peace greeting to enter their hearts, reach their families, all people, wherever they are, all peoples, all the earth. Peace be with you.
This is the peace of risen Christ, unarmed peace and disarmed, humble, and persevering peace. Come from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.
We still retain in our ears that weak but always brave voice of the Pope Francis who blessed Rome.
The Pope who blessed Rome and gave his blessing to the world, the whole world, that morning of Easter Day.
Allow me to continue this same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!
We are all in the hands of God.
So, without fear, united hand in hand with God and among us, we go ahead.
We are disciples of Christ. Christ precedes us. The world needs its light. Humanity needs him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love.
Also help us, and then to each other to build bridges, with dialogue, with the meeting, uniting us all to be one people always at peace.
Thank you, Pope Francis.
I also want to thank all the cardinal brothers who have chosen me to be Peter’s successor and walk with you, as a united church, always seeking peace, justice, always seeking to work as men and women faithful to Jesus Christ, without fear, to proclaim the gospel, to be missionaries.
I am a son of St. Augustine, Augustinian, who said, ‘With you, I am a Christian, and to you, Bishop.’ In this sense, we can all walk together towards that homeland God has prepared us.
To the church of Rome, a special greeting! We must seek together how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, dialogue. Always open to receive, like this square with open arms, all, all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.
And if they allow me too, a word and greeting to all those and particularly to my dear Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru. Where a faithful people accompanied his bishop, shared his faith and gave so much, so much to continue to be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.
To all of you, brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, around the world, we want to be a synodal church, a church that walks, a church that always seeks peace, always seeking charity, always seeking to be close especially to those who suffer.
Today is the day of supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii. Our mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close, help us with her intercession and her love.
So I would like to pray with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, throughout the church, for peace in the world and ask this special grace to Mary, our mother. ”
