Pope Leo XIV to hold first mass today in Sistine Chapel as papacy duty begins

Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Catholic Church and the first pontiff from the United States is set to celebrate his inaugural Mass in the Sistine Chapel today at 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT, 10:00 BST), marking the official beginning of his papal ministry.

Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, the 68-year-old former missionary and Archbishop in Peru made history yesterday by becoming the first North American to be elected pope.

Seen as a reform-minded leader with a deep pastoral background, Leo XIV’s appointment has drawn widespread attention and praise from around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump described his election as a “great honour,” reflecting national pride in the first American to ascend to the papacy.

In Peru, where Leo XIV served for years among the poor and marginalized, many expressed pride in his elevation—though some observers note he will face significant challenges, including longstanding concerns about the Church’s handling of sexual abuse cases.

In a statement, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed hope that the new Pope would “continue to bring the Church closer to the poor and disadvantaged,” adding that the Filipino people were praying for the pontiff’s strength and health. “May his life and ministry inspire us to persevere in our daily walk with our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.

Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, also lauded Pope Leo XIV’s message of peace and compassion, saying it “resonates deeply with the Filipino faithful.” He urged unity in prayer, adding: “The challenges before the world are great, but so too is the light that now shines from Rome. May Pope Leo XIV guide us toward peace, healing, and renewed faith.”

Leo XIV’s election has been met with cautious optimism among reform advocates within the Church, who see his missionary roots and Latin American experience as signs of a pastoral approach attuned to the needs of the global south. His Mass in the Sistine Chapel is expected to draw global attention as a symbolic beginning to what many hope will be a transformative papacy.