With a solemn celebration in St. Peter's Square yesterday, the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pontiff in history, who was elected last May 8 by Conclave, officially began. During his homily at the Inauguration Mass, one of the most significant moments in the papal tradition, the new Bishop of Rome spoke words filled with humility and hope: "I have been chosen without any merit and, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who wants to make himself a servant of your faith and your joy," said Leo XIV, recalling his predecessor Pope Francis, "whose death filled our hearts with sadness". Prevost stressed the need for a united and missionary Church, capable of "immersing in the waters of the world the hope of the Gospel" and "becoming a leaven of unity, of communion, of fraternity". He also appealed for dialogue with other Christian denominations, world religions and all men and women of goodwill. "Brothers, sisters, this is the hour of love," he said, quoting Leo XIII and calling for a world reconciled and founded on charity: "With the light and strength of the Holy Spirit, let us build a Church founded on God's love and a sign of unity". More than 150 delegations were present at the Vatican for the enthronement, including Presidents Mattarella and Meloni for Italy, Zelensky for Ukraine, Herzog for Israel, Boluarte for Peru, and the sovereigns of Spain, Belgium and Monaco. Also present was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.