The Oblates of Mary Immaculate Ireland & UK

Celebrating 100 days of Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV appeals for an end to the tragedy of war, especially in the Middle East, and recalls that war only amplifies problems and creates deep wounds without providing lasting solutions. loom.ly/dVaGR1k

On Sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Grottoes to celebrate a private Mass near the tomb of Saint Peter. Following the Mass, the Pope spent time in silent prayer at the tombs of his predecessors. In his homily, the Pope—speaking first in English, then in Italian—reflected on the story of the Good Shepherd in the day's Gospel. Pope Leo also spoke of the universal call to proclaim the Gospel, urging the faithful: “Take heart! Don’t be afraid!” Acknowledging that the mission sometimes involves sacrifice, he emphasized how essential it is to listen—to God’s Word and to one another. “Listening is what allows us to enter into true dialogue,” he said, calling it the foundation for "building bridges". “We have to know how to listen—not to judge, not to shut doors as if we hold all the truth and no one else has anything to offer,” the Pope said. From this posture of humility, he added, will come greater clarity about where the Lord is calling us.

Pope Leo XIV prays at the tomb of his predecessor Pope Francis.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV began his first homily with words in English during Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the College of Cardinals.

Here is the official record confirming that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost accepted the election canonically making him Supreme Pontiff and the name he has chosen. The document was drawn up by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, acting as notary. Written in Latin, the name Leo XIV appears in red.

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope! The Cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, who took the name Pope Leo XIV.

White smoke! The 133 Cardinal electors gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel have elected the new Pope. He will appear soon at the central window of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Francis' coffin arrives in St Peter's Square

"Spiritually united with all of Christianity, we are here in large numbers to pray for Pope Francis, that God may welcome him into the immensity of His love. "Pope Francis used to conclude his speeches and personal encounters by saying, 'Do not forget to pray for me.' "Now, dear Pope Francis, we ask you to pray for us. May you bless the Church, bless Rome, and we ask you to bless the whole world from heaven as you did last Sunday from the balcony of this Basilica in a final embrace with all the people of God, but also with the whole of humanity, with that humanity that seeks the truth with a sincere heart and holds high the torch of hope." From the homily by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals Read more: loom.ly/UaWDXo0