Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass this morning in the Sistine Chapel, in the presence of the entire College of Cardinals, electors and non-electors.
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A solemn moment, in which the new Pontiff launched a warning against the materialistic drift of society and the trivialization of the figure of Christ.
Criticism of the Faithless Society
In his homily, Leo XIV denounced contexts in which “the Christian faith is considered something absurd, for weak and unintelligent people”. “Other securities are preferred,” he said, “such as technology, money, success, power, pleasure”.
Environments, he added, in which “believers are mocked, opposed, despised, or at most tolerated and pitied.”
Jesus Reduced to “Superman”? Practical Atheism
The Pope then pointed the finger at another widespread tendency: that of considering Christ simply as “a charismatic leader or a superman”. “This happens not only among non-believers,” he explained, “but also among many baptized people, who end up living, in fact, in a practical atheism”.
The invitation to “disappear” to make room for Christ
At the end of the celebration, Leo XIV indicated the main path for those who exercise a ministry of authority in the Church: “Disappear so that Christ remains, make yourself small so that He may be known and glorified.” A commitment, he underlined, that requires “spending oneself completely so that no one lacks the opportunity to know and love Him.”
An international mass
The liturgy, in Latin, saw the readings proclaimed in English and Spanish, the two languages most used in Vatican celebrations and well known by the Pontiff, born in the United States and a long-time missionary in Peru.
A beginning of a pontificate that already outlines the priorities of Leo XIV: to reaffirm the primacy of God in a world that relegates him to the margins, and to call the Church to an authentic testimony, far from any compromise with the logic of power and success.
Article published on May 9, 2025 - 13:20 pm
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It is interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV spoke out against materialistic society but there are many people who believe that faith is not necessary. I think his homily can make people think, but I do not know if it will change things.