Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass as leader of the Catholic Church with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Friday

Leon XIV, the new pope and the first American elected to the post, celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel on Friday, shortly after his election by the cardinals. A Chicago native and former missionary bishop in Peru, he is known for his discretion and support for Pope Francis. In the face of the Church's current challenges, such as tensions over the LGBT community and the role of women, the pope emphasized the importance of unity. President Trump congratulated him, emphasizing the significance of this moment for the US.