New Pope says Church must illuminate 'dark nights of this world' in first Mass

Summary

Pope Leo XIV has celebrated his first Mass as the new pontiff
He tells cardinals in the Sistine Chapel that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world"
Born in Chicago as Robert Prevost, he is the first North American to be elected pope - Donald Trump called it a "great honour"
Pope Leo, 69, is seen as a reformer and worked for many years as a missionary in Peru, which he reportedly calls his "second homeland"
"Yes, it's Rob!" - watch the moment the Pope's brother jumps for joy as he learns of his election

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Watch: Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the Vatican

Live Reporting

Edited by Johanna Chisholm and Nathan Williams, with Sarah Rainsford reporting from Rome

People still digesting the news in St Peter's Squarepublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 9 May
Laura Gozzi
Reporting from Vatican City
Image source, BBC News
It’s been less than 24 hours since Pope Leo XIV was elected cardinal, so many people around St Peter’s Square are still digesting the news.
"A Pope with a Chicago accent! Isn’t that good?" said Dave.
He was ambling around the Vatican with a group of American tourists from New York.
"I’m shocked and I don't know much about him yet but I hope he continues what Francis started – tolerance, and acceptance," said Nina, as the rest of the group nodded.
After almost three weeks of solemn events and masses, this stunning square is getting some respite – but only until Leo XIV gives his first blessing on Sunday; then, later in the week, the inaugural mass will see hundreds of clergy, heads of state and dignitaries flock back to Rome.
We have now closed our live page, thank you for joining us. You can continue to read more in our main article.
Pope Leo warns against 'lack of faith' in first Masspublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Reuters
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass this morning following his election, calling on the Church to focus on areas where there is a "lack of faith".
It followed his first address yesterday - when the Chicago-born pontiff touched on "peace" and "unity".
The Conclave had begun on Wednesday with white smoke signalling that a new Pope had been elected the following day.
The atmosphere in the Vatican was markedly different to a few weeks ago when Catholics came to St Peter's Square in mourning after the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
Pope Leo's role now will be to select those he wants as part of his cabinet. As our religion editor wrote earlier these decisions may give us an insight into how he wants to lead the Catholic Church moving forward.
We will be closing our live coverage shortly but you can read more who Robert Prevost is, about his chosen name Leo or watch his first address in full.
And here is our main article on the Pope's first Mass as pontiff.
In pictures: From the death of Pope Francis to the election of Pope Leopublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 9 May
When Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, the Catholic Church entered a period of mourning.
Now, two-and-a-half weeks later, the faithful are celebrating the election of their new leader - Pope Leo XIV.
Below, we've put together the main stages of the transition in pictures.
Image source, EPA
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A procession carried Pope Francis's body to St Peter's Basilica following his death on Easter Monday. Pilgrims from across the globe came to the Vatican to pay respects while he was lying in state.
Image source, Reuters
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World leaders joined 400,000 mourners at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. He was buried at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica
Image source, Vatican Media/Reuters
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After a period of mourning, 133 cardinals gathered to vote to elect a new leader for the Catholic Church. Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli closed the doors of the Sistine Chapel - where the secret votes were held
Image source, EPA
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On Thursday, white smoke signalled that a new pope had been chosen
Image source, Reuters
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Pope Leo used his first address to speak of both "peace" and "unity". On Thursday he became the Catholic Church's first North American pope
Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiorepublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Reuters
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The congregation of Santa Maria Maggiore reads from prayer books for the Mass
Whilst cardinals attended Pope Leo's first Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, other believers gathered for mass in Santa Maria Maggiore, where his predecessor Pope Francis is buried.
Image source, Reuters
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Nuns waiting to attend mass at Santa Maria Maggiore
Image source, Reuters
The first North American Popepublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Shutterstock
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Chicago born Pope Leo XIV has spent most of his life outside of the US
Pope Leo XIV might be the world's first pope from the US, but he's spent most of his life outside of the States.
Here's a quick catch up on his global career so far:
- The Chicago-born pope studied maths at Villanova University in Philadelphia in 1977
- The same year, he joined the Augustinians, earning a diploma in theology
- He went on to study in Rome, getting a doctorate degree in canon law
- He worked as a missionary for many years in Peru, where he was Archbishop, and speaks Spanish and Italian
- Pope Francis nominated him president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, shortly before appointing him cardinal in 2023
Read more here.
Priest recalls 'humble' Pope's visit to Papuapublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Ordo Santo Augustinus
A priest from the Indonesian province of Papua has spoken to the BBC about meeting Pope Leo, describing him as a "very friendly, simple, and humble person".
The new pope visited the South-East Asian island, which is split between Indonesia and neighbouring Papua New Guinea, in 2003 when he was head of the Order of St Augustine.
Abuna Markus Mala tells our colleagues at BBC Indonesia that the new pope stayed in "very simple" rectories in local villages during his trip.
"Even though we were only novices, we could sit at the same dining table with him as our highest leader," he adds.
Describing Pope Leo's first speech while there as giving hope to Papuans, Mala says he sees the new pontiff as a "breath of fresh air" for the region – which has been riven with conflict with the Indonesian government for decades.
What are the Pope's views on LGBTQ relationships?published at 12:29 British Summer Time 9 May
Josh Parry
LGBT and identity reporter
While the pomp and ceremony unfolds in the Vatican, around the world people are keen to find out more about Pope Leo XIV.
Within an hour of the announcement, search engines saw a spike in searches from people looking to find out, with ‘Robert Prevost views’ quickly becoming one of the breakout search terms.
During the process to elect a new pope, there were questions about whether Pope Francis’ more progressive stance would continue, or whether there would be a return to a more conservative, doctrinal path.
One area of public life that’s often discussed in this context is the Church’s views on LGBTQ relationships and same-sex adoption.
The pontiff, who’ll be known as Pope Leo XIV, hasn’t recently spoken about the issue but in a 2012 address to bishops he expressed his disappointment about what he perceived as Western media’s “sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the gospel”.
He said this included what he called the "homosexual lifestyle" and "alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children".
We will learn more about the new Pope's views on these issues in the coming days.
'Very excited' - listeners share hopes for new Popepublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 9 May
Meanwhile, over on 5 Live, our colleagues asked listeners, "What are your hopes for the the new Pope?" Here's what they've been saying
- Georgia Clarke, a Catholic voices Commentator and Youth Minister, says Pope Francis' work in appointing women within the Vatican is “very exciting”. And though she is not a “fan of female Priesthood,” she would like to see more female roles within the Church be celebrated and recognised.
- Johan Bergstrom-Allen, a Pastoral Minister at Our Lady’s Catholic Church in York, is "very excited" by the new Pope, and says he would like to see change. “I think it’s perfectly within the traditions of the Church to update its teaching. We’ve updated our teaching on whether the earth goes round the sun.”
- Alex in Belfast is a practicing Catholic and is “shocked” to see the new Pope is American.
In Pictures: Pope Leo celebrates first Mass as pontiffpublished at 12:07 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Getty Images
If you're just tuning in now, here are some pictures from the Pope's first Holy Mass since being elected pontiff.
Image source, Getty Images
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The new Pope's first Mass was held in the elaborately decorated Sistine Chapel.
Image source, Getty Images
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Pope Leo XIV led the congregation of cardinals in hymns and liturgy
'The Church can help illuminate the dark nights of this world'published at 11:46 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, EPA
One of the moments that stood out in Pope Leo's first Mass as pontiff was a moment when he said that the Church could help illuminate the "dark nights of this world".
Here's that full quote in context:
Quote Message
In a particular way, God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator for the sake of the entire mystical body of the Church. He has done so in order that she may be ever more fully a city set on a hill, an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world."
Pope Leo XIV
Here's what the new Pope said at his first Masspublished at 11:38 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Reuters
With the Mass in the Sistine Chapel over, here's a quick recap of what we heard from Pope Leo in his first address:
- Beginning in English, the new pontiff told the assembled cardinals that he believed he could "rely on each and every one of you to walk with me" as the Catholic Church continues its mission to spread the faith
- Continuing in Italian, he said he hoped his election could help the Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world"
- He called on the Church to do more work where there is a "lack of faith" and in places where "technology, money, success, power or pleasure" are preferred
Cardinals file out of Sistine Chapelpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 9 May
Cardinals have now begun filing out of the Sistine Chapel and the Mass has ended.
Image source, Reuters
In pictures: Blessings and hymnspublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 9 May
Here's a look at some of the recent pictures we're getting from inside the Sistine Chapel.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Church must do more work where there is 'lack of faith', Pope sayspublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, Reuters
The Pope has said the church must do more work in to places where there is a "lack of faith" as part of its mission.
"Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent," he tells the cardinals.
He adds that areas where "technology, money, success, power or pleasure" are preferred are "where our missionary outreach is desperately needed".
Pope hopes Catholic Church can illuminate 'dark nights of this world'published at 10:51 British Summer Time 9 May
Pope Leo continues his sermon, now speaking in Italian.
He is telling cardinals that he hopes his election can help the Catholic Church bring light to the "dark nights of this world" and that he can be a "faithful administrator" for the entire Church.
I know I can rely on you to walk with me, Pope tells cardinalspublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 9 May
Image source, EPA
Pope Leo has begun to address the Cardinals inside the Sistine Chapel, beginning his remarks in English.
He says they have called him to be blessed with the mission of leading the Church.
"I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel," he says.
Pope's next choices will give us an insight into the direction he will take the Churchpublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 9 May
Aleem Maqbool
Religion editor, reporting from Rome
One of the main events today, happening right now, is Pope Leo presiding over Mass in the Sistine Chapel - that was until last night the voting chamber for the Conclave.
From his first homily - a sermon or religious speech - we will get more of a sense perhaps of the focus of his papacy as he intends it.
Cardinals will then disperse and we will start to hear a little bit from them. They're sworn to secrecy about the process, but we'll hear something of how they feel about this all.
Then there is management, he is a spiritual leader of course, but he is also a head of state and runs the Curia, the administration that runs the Catholic Church.
The Pope will have to start thinking about his secretary of state and his cabinet for example.
All of these things - like the people he chooses to surround himself with — will give us an initial insight into the direction he intends for his papacy.
Mass not being screened to crowds in St Peter's Squarepublished at 10:39 British Summer Time 9 May
Laura Gozzi
Reporting from St Peter's Square
Image source, Laura Gozzi/BBC
Meanwhile, outside the Sistine Chapel, there is very much a "day after" feel to St Peter’s Square today.
The majority of pilgrims seem to have been replaced by tourist groups streaming in and out of the basilica, couples talking selfies and children skipping on the cobblestones.
It's a beautiful warm spring day, and after the swelling emotion of the last two and a half weeks, it feels like normal service is resuming.
Watch: Pope celebrates first Mass as pontiffpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 9 May
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Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass in the Vatican
Here's a clip from the beginning of this morning's Mass.
Cardinals change hatspublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 9 May
Both Pope Leo and the assembled cardinals are changing between the zucchetto skullcap and the tall white mitre, often reserved for special occasions, during different parts of this ceremony.
Only the Pope wears a white zucchetto, while the cardinals wear red.