His first words as pope were: “May peace be with all of you.”
Pope Leo also reflected on the legacy of Pope Francis, saying: “The pope that blessed Rome gave his blessing to the whole world on that Easter morning.
So let us follow up that blessing. Together, we must try to find out how to be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, establishes dialogues.”
He expressed his gratitude to the Cardinals who elected him, stating:
“Thank you to my cardinal brothers who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice,
working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.”
