Introduction in Rome: Pope Leo uses an inauguration to criticism of capitalism

The new Pope Leo XIV has used the solemn fair for its inauguration of clear criticism of capitalism. In his first sermon in front of around 150,000 people on St. Peter’s Square, the new head of the Catholic Church complained that the poorest in the world should not be pushed further to the edge. At the same time, he warned to deal with nature and the environment more responsibly.

The 69-year-old was one of the first state guests to receive the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj to the audience. For US Vice President JD Vance, however, the first Pope with American citizenship initially had no time.

The previous Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was surprisingly quickly chosen as Pope Francis a week and a half ago: the conclave did not even take 24 hours. On Sunday Leo received all the insignia of his office, including the fishing ring. This reminds of the apostle and the first Pope Peter, who was a fisherman. According to Catholic teaching, Leo is said to act as a deputy of Christ on earth as a “human fisherman”.

Pope warns: Do not push the poorest further to the edge

In his sermon, the American made it clear that he sees himself in the line of his Argentine predecessor Francis, who was particularly committed to people on the sidelines of society. Literally, Pope Leo said: “In our time we still experience too much discord, too many wounds that are caused by hate, violence, prejudices, fear of the other and by an economic model that exploits the resources of the earth and push the poorest to the brink.”

In doing so, he explicitly occupied other positions than US President Donald Trump, who after his visit to the funeral service for Francis for Franziskus refrained from a new trip to the Vatican.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) were there for Germany. The CDU leader said to Leo’s criticism of capitalism that the Pope’s “very own tasks” of the Pope are to draw attention to such questions. “I feel very limited in what we call social market economy in Germany.”

“Come to you with fear and tremble”

Leo was humble in his preaching in Italian. “I was selected without any earnings and come to you with fear and tremors,” he confessed. From his time as a missionary and bishop in Peru, Leo also has the citizenship of the South American country. Peru President Dina Boluarte was also among the guests of honor.

With US Vice Vance there will probably be a meeting on Monday. As a cardinal, Leo had openly criticized the handling of the US government with migrants. The Trump deputy, who was transferred to Catholic faith in 2019, was the last foreign visitor to Pope Francis. The day after the meeting, Easter Monday, the Argentinian died at the age of 88.

Another appeal for peace worldwide

Successor Leo emphasized the unity of the church as the greatest wish: “Dear brothers and sisters, I would like this that this is our first great desire: a united church.” He alluded to the directional fights within the Catholic World Church between reformers and conservatives.

Leo himself is considered a bridge builder (literally: Pontifex), who can convey between the camps. Regarding his own role and the role of the Church, he said: “It is never about compulsion to take religious propaganda or power, but always and exclusively about loving as Jesus did.” He expressly warned peace in the Gaza Strip, in Myanmar and in Ukraine.

Before the start of the fair, the new Pope had turned a round in the papamobile for the first time through the crowd on St. Peter’s Square. In contrast to Francis, who mostly remained sitting towards the end of his term, he stood upright. Numerous US flags could be seen in the crowd, but also Peruvian flags. After the inauguration, he welcomed the numerous guests of honor with a handshake. He greeted one of his brothers, who had traveled from the USA, with a hug across all borders of the minutes.

Leo is the 267th Pope in two thousands of church history. According to the Catholic teaching, he is the successor to the apostle Peter and deputy of Jesus Christ on earth. He is also Bishop of Rome, Primas of Italy and head of state of the Vatican. He doesn’t have great world power. But it is a moral authority for many people.