Pope Leo XIV advocates for peace in his inaugural message on X as the new pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV has officially commenced his papacy, marking a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church. The 69-year-old Chicago native, Robert Prevost, communicated his inaugural message on social media this past Wednesday, utilizing the @Pontifex account for the first time since his elevation to the position of the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. This account, which has been operational since 2012 under Pope Benedict XVI, serves as a modern platform for papal communications.
In his message, Pope Leo extended a universal greeting, “Peace be with you all,” reflecting the initial words he uttered upon his election. He emphasized the importance of peace, stating his desire for this greeting to resonate within the hearts and homes of individuals across the globe. The new pontiff acknowledged the tumultuous landscape of global affairs, directly addressing the rampant violence and conflicts that plague many societies. He urged leaders worldwide to engage in dialogue and negotiation, invoking the spirit of Christ’s message in times of adversity.
The pontiff’s commitment to maintaining an active digital presence was further demonstrated with a parallel post on the official papal Instagram account, which featured a collection of images capturing his early days in office. His messages were shared in various languages, including English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, Polish, and German, underscoring his intent to reach a diverse and global audience.
On May 8, Pope Leo XIV became the first American ever to ascend to the papacy, shortly after the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday. This transition occurred during a conclave that convened to select Francis’s successor. Before his elevation, Leo maintained a modest presence on social media since 2011 and had previously utilized the platform to comment on pressing social issues, including immigration policies.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, which oversees the Holy See’s media strategies, confirmed Pope Leo’s decision to continue leveraging social media as a vital tool for outreach and engagement with the global Catholic community. As Pope Leo XIV steps into this pivotal role, the world watches closely, anticipating how his leadership will shape both the Church’s direction and responses to contemporary challenges.
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