by Daniele Frison

In the presence of 156 international delegations, Prevost celebrated the Mass marking the beginning of his Petrine ministry. During the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis was movingly remembered: “He accompanies us from Heaven.” The Pope’s thoughts turned to the “survivors reduced to starvation” in Gaza, the “new innocent lives” lost to airstrikes in Myanmar, and the “tormented Ukraine.” This afternoon, a private audience is scheduled with Volodymyr Zelensky.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Just hours before the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, a peculiar calm settles over the streets surrounding the Vatican. Piazza Cavour – one of the locations equipped with giant screens, along with Via della Conciliazione and Piazza Risorgimento – is nearly deserted.

Walking the perimeter of Castel Sant’Angelo towards the far bank of the Tiber, one finally encounters a gathering crowd at the security checkpoints near Piazza Pia. Conversations in French can be overheard; many are in uniform: Civil Protection, Red Cross, Police. Progress is slow.

At 8am, a volunteer comments, “It’s like a bottleneck. Everyone arrived at once. We’re doing our best…” Nonetheless, the movement is quicker than it was on 26 April, the day of Pope Francis’s farewell.

Three weeks ago, over 250,000 people came to bid farewell to the Argentine pontiff, some even sleeping on the streets to secure a place close to the coffin. It was the final act of Francis’s ministry, his body now resting in Santa Maria Maggiore. Today’s atmosphere is more relaxed – the prelude to a new pontificate, born under the sign of peace.

The weather is mild. A clear day with a few harmless clouds frames the gathering of 200,000 faithful in that “open-armed” square, “always ready to receive,” as Prevost described it after the habemus papam, likening it to a missionary Church that “builds bridges.” A clear reference to his predecessor.

Today, Pope Leo XIV himself echoes this sentiment: “During the Mass, I felt the strong spiritual presence of Pope Francis, who accompanies us from Heaven,” he says at the conclusion of the celebration, during the Eastertide Regina Caeli prayer.

During the Mass, prolonged applause erupts when Francis’s name is mentioned. The affection for Bergoglio remains strong and supports today’s solemn liturgy, which is rich with references to the Apostle Peter, on whose tomb Leo XIV prayed earlier that morning with the Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches.

Yet, the joy and emotion are also for the new pontiff, whose name the faithful call out loudly. “Long live the Pope!” is a frequent chant, part of a joyous fervour that has not subsided since the white smoke on Thursday, 8 May. Before the Mass, Prevost greeted the crowds who had gathered for the official start of his pontificate – although he had already taken significant steps in recent days – reaching them in the popemobile.

At precisely 9am, he left the Palace of the Holy Office, his current residence, to board the vehicle for the first time, under escort. He travelled beyond the obelisk and down Via della Conciliazione, disappearing from the view of media stationed near the basilica steps.

Among the faithful he greeted were participants in the Jubilee of the Confraternities (16–18 May). “Thank you for keeping alive the great heritage of popular piety,” Prevost told them during the Regina Caeli.

As on the previous Sunday, the Marian prayer was also a moment to recall the world’s conflicts and to invoke peace, in front of 156 delegations from across the globe. “In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war,” said Pope Leo XIV.

His first thoughts were for Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have died due to Israeli military actions – over one hundred in the last few hours alone, since the launch of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots.”

In the enclave, “children, families, and elderly survivors are being driven to starvation,” he said. Since 2 March, Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid.

His second concern was Myanmar, where in recent weeks the humanitarian ceasefire declared by the military junta has been repeatedly violated. “New hostilities have cut short innocent young lives,” the Pope said. Just days ago, air raids on Tabayin killed at least 20 children.

The third conflict mentioned by Pope Leo XIV was in Ukraine. Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, present at the celebration, was among the most anticipated leaders. “The tormented Ukraine,” said the Pope – using the phrase often employed by Francis – “is still awaiting negotiations for a just and lasting peace.”

His words came after recent talks between Moscow and Kyiv delegations in Istanbul failed to produce a ceasefire, resulting only in a prisoner exchange. Prevost had spoken with President Zelensky shortly after his election. That initial contact is followed today by a private audience.

“We appreciate the support for Ukraine and the clear voice raised in defence of a just and lasting peace,” Zelensky wrote on social media. Yesterday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Cardinal Zuppi at the US Embassy in Rome, raising the possibility of the Holy See hosting peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

As the Mass concludes, the crowds disperse swiftly. While Pope Leo XIV receives the delegations inside St Peter’s Basilica, those lingering in the sunlit St Peter’s Square radiate boundless joy. Numerous flags flutter – white and red vertical stripes with a central yellow cornucopia – from Peru, where the Augustinian Pope spent many years, forging deep ties especially with the “beloved” diocese of Chiclayo.

“I’m from Lima, I didn’t know him,” one Peruvian woman tells AsiaNews. “But I’m very happy, I love him.” There’s still time for singing and cheering.

Groups from East Timor, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Brazil gather for one last photo, one final memory. Calm still pervades as the square empties. There is nothing to fear. The People of God have embraced their new shepherd and now begin to follow in his footsteps.