The mass, held in Saint Peter’s Square, drew more than 200,000 pilgrims, leaders from around the world, and representatives of Christian denominations, including WCC central committee moderator Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. Religious delegations included Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jainists, among the many present for the celebration. Expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the prayerful and joyful support offered to him as he begins his pastoral ministry as pope, Leo XIV recalled the intense emotions experienced over these past few weeks. "Following the death of Pope Francis, we felt like sheep without a shepherd," he recalled, "yet having received his final blessing on Easter Sunday, and with eyes of faith, hope, and joy, we remembered how the Lord never abandons His people.” The pope also thanked everyone for accompanying in prayer the College of Cardinals meeting in conclave. He said they felt “the working of the Holy Spirit, who was able to bring us into harmony, like musical instruments, so that our heartstrings could vibrate in a single melody.” Pope Leo expressed his hope for "a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” In the face of a world marked by so much discord and wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear, and economic reality “that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” Pope Leo said, “we want to be a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world.” In the one Christ, we are one, reflected the pope. "This is the path to follow together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God, with all women and men of good will, in order to build a new world where peace reigns!” The Pope upheld the missionary spirit, adding that such an approach will keep the church from closing itself off in small groups or taking on a feeling of superiority to the world. “We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people," he said. “Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love! The heart of the Gospel is the love of God that makes us brothers and sisters.” In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV invited all Christians to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. “Together, as one people, as brothers and sisters, let us walk towards God and love one another,” he said. | 
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