In his first address following his election as Pope Leo XIV, the new pontiff delivered a concise yet far-reaching message, articulating a vision for his papacy in just 500 words. Within that brief but impactful speech, he laid out a series of ambitious priorities that emphasized continuing internal reform within the Catholic Church, advancing peace across religious and global divides, and fostering inclusive dialogue with people of all faiths and even those without any religious affiliation.
Among his first stated goals, Pope Leo made it clear he intended to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor, Pope Francis, particularly with regard to synodality — a church governance process rooted in consultation, inclusion, and collaboration. He expressed a desire to make the Catholic Church a more inviting and open institution. Additionally, he committed to using his new role as a force for peace both within the Church and globally. Leo emphasized his aim to “build bridges with dialogue and encounter” with not just other Christian denominations, but also with followers of other religions and those without religious beliefs.
On May 18, Leo presided over his inaugural Mass as the new head of the Catholic Church. In the days that followed, he began translating his words into concrete actions. The day after his installation, he met with leaders of ecumenical and interfaith groups who had traveled to Rome for the occasion. Speaking to them, the new pope said, “As bishop of Rome, I consider one of my priorities to be that of seeking the reestablishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
His remarks came at a pivotal time, with the Church preparing to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea — a foundational moment in Christian unity that shaped the Nicene Creed, still recited in churches today. In recognition of this significant milestone, Pope Leo is expected to travel to Turkey later this year, in what would be his first international trip as pontiff, to commemorate the anniversary.
Leo also reaffirmed his full commitment to synodality, despite speculation that the process might fade with the passing of Pope Francis. The synodal path, initiated under Francis, has been a point of contention for some within the Church hierarchy. But Leo dismissed any notion of abandoning the initiative. “I would like to assure you of my intention to continue Pope Francis’ commitment to promoting the synodal nature of the Catholic Church and developing new and concrete forms for an ever stronger synodality in ecumenical relations,” he stated.
When addressing leaders of other world religions, Leo also voiced his support for the 2019 “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” document. Originally signed by Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of al-Azhar in Egypt, the text is seen as a major milestone in Catholic-Muslim relations. Although the document has been criticized by more conservative Catholic circles, Leo’s endorsement signaled continuity with the outreach efforts of his predecessor.
In another significant gesture, Leo addressed Jewish-Catholic relations, which have recently faced tension, especially in light of Pope Francis’ vocal criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Rather than retreat from the issue, Leo attempted to reset the dialogue with Jewish leaders. “The theological dialogue between Christians and Jews remains ever important and close to my heart,” he said. “Even in these difficult times, marked by conflicts and misunderstandings, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours.”
The very next day, during his first Wednesday general audience at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo directly confronted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking before 40,000 pilgrims, he did not shy away from addressing the ongoing suffering. “The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful,” he said. “I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heart-rending price of which is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick.”
The pope’s message of unity and bridge-building also took a symbolic step forward on May 19, when he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican. The meeting was notable not just for its political implications, but also for the personal dynamics involved. Before becoming pope, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost had publicly disagreed with Vance’s theological stance on immigration. In February, Prevost had shared an article on social media with the headline, “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” criticizing Vance’s attempts to justify the Trump administration’s tough immigration policies through Catholic teachings.
Despite this past tension, the meeting proceeded, and Vance extended an invitation to Pope Leo to visit the White House. While Leo acknowledged the invitation, such a trip appears unlikely in the near future. As a new pope from the United States — the first in history — he is expected to focus first on reforming internal structures and strengthening the Vatican’s core mission rather than returning to his native country immediately. His priorities clearly lie with addressing matters within the Church.
During the same general audience, Pope Leo paid tribute to his predecessor, noting that one month had passed since Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday. The tribute underscored Leo’s commitment to preserving and expanding upon the legacy of Francis.
On May 22, Leo demonstrated further continuity with Francis’ policies by elevating women into senior positions within the Roman Curia. He appointed Sr. Tiziana Merletti, a respected canon lawyer, as secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Merletti, who previously served as superior general of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, replaces Sr. Simona Brambilla, the first woman ever to lead a Vatican dicastery. With this move, Leo made clear that his papacy would continue the progressive path of recognizing the contributions of women in Church leadership.
In another nod to his past and perhaps to the legacy of spontaneity that characterized Pope Francis, Leo made an unannounced visit to his former office at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops. There, he celebrated Mass and visited with his former colleagues and staff members. The visit reflected a personal touch and humility that many had admired in his predecessor.
With his first week as pope now behind him, Leo XIV has already shown that his papacy will be marked by a commitment to dialogue, peace, inclusion, and reform. In both symbolic gestures and concrete actions, he has signaled a desire to guide the Church forward while remaining deeply rooted in the principles and outreach begun by Pope Francis. Whether addressing humanitarian crises, affirming interfaith cooperation, or empowering women in leadership, Leo has wasted no time in making his vision a reality. Perhaps, as some observers have suggested, the spirit of the “pope of surprises” lives on in his successor.