Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, issuing an appeal for Gaza, which he calls an “increasingly worrying and painful” situation, harming children, elderly, and the sick in particular.

Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square is an ancient ritual filled with symbolism that connects back to Peter, Jesus’ apostle, and his special mission as head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV presided over his inaugural Mass in front of St Peter’s Basilica, marking the formal start of his papacy. In his homily, Leo urged rejection of hatred and division, and disavowed "an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.