The pontiff said he would face up to "the questions, concerns and challenges of today’s world" and, in a nod to conservatives, he promised to preserve "the rich heritage of the Christian faith," repeatedly calling for unity.

Vice President JD Vance attended Pope Leo's inaugural mass. The trip could set the tone for the Trump administration's relationship with the new pope.

Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration ceremony took place in Vatican City earlier today. Many were in attendance, and as tradition goes — when a person is in the presence of a pope, they dress in black, except for Queen Letizia of Spain,

Presiding over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Leo was inaugurated as the first American pope, in a ceremony filled with ancient and symbolic rituals.

Leo’s commitments present a challenge to the nationalism and isolationism currently promoted by the White House.