On May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Cardinal Robert Prevost \u2014 now Pope Leo XIV. One year later, we look at some of the most significant events and powerful moments of his first year as pope.<\/p>\n
On May 8, 2025, white smoke billowed from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that a new pope had been chosen. On that day, the world was introduced to Pope Leo XIV, known just hours before as Cardinal Robert Prevost, prefect of the Vatican\u2019s Dicastery for Bishops.<\/p>\n
One year later, Pope Leo has captured the hearts of the faithful through his papal trips, events like canonizations and special liturgies, as well as through his spoken and printed words, including an apostolic letter, and much more.<\/p>\n
Here are 10 of the most significant events and moments of Leo XIV\u2019s first year as pope:<\/p>\n
The new pontiff\u02bcs inaugural Mass<\/p>\n
On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV inaugurated his pontificate with a Mass in St. Peter\u2019s Square calling for a united Church. Addressing approximately 150,000 attendees, he emphasized fraternal communion, servant leadership, and reconciliation, marking the official start of his ministry as the 266th successor of St. Peter.<\/p>\n
At the Mass, concelebrated with the members of the College of Cardinals, Leo expressed his intention to \u201ccome to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God\u2019s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visit to Pope Francis\u2019 tomb<\/p>\n
Less than 48 hours after his election, Pope Leo made his first visit outside of the Vatican visiting the Shrine of the Mother of Good Counsel in Genazzano, located about an hour east of Rome and run by the religious of the Order of St. Augustine.<\/p>\n
On his way back to the Vatican, the new pontiff stopped at the Basilica of St. Mary Major where he prayed before the tomb of Pope Francis and the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary there, \u201cSalus Populi Romani.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo left a white rose, which is said to have been Pope Francis\u2019 favorite flower.<\/p>\n
Impactful addresses to youth<\/p>\n
Throughout his first year as pope, the Holy Father has had powerful experiences with young people. Two in particular that stand out are his addresses to roughly 1 million young adults during the Jubilee of Youth and his live talk with young people gathered at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC).<\/p>\n
During the Jubilee of Youth, which took place July 28\u2013Aug. 3 and was part of the yearlong Jubilee of Hope, young adults from around the world filled the streets of Rome. Each day was filled with different opportunities and events for the young people to experience the richness of the Catholic faith.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 2, Pope Leo was greeted by the largest crowd he had addressed during his pontificate so far for the evening vigil at Tor Vergata, an outdoor venue 10 miles east of Rome. An estimated 1 million people were in attendance. The Holy Father arrived by helicopter and then drove through the grounds on the popemobile, waving to the cheering young people before the prayer service began.<\/p>\n
The Jubilee of Youth concluded on Aug. 3 with a Mass celebrated by Pope Leo on the 237-acre grounds of Tor Vergata, where more than a million young pilgrims had spent the night following a prayer vigil and Eucharistic adoration.<\/p>\n
Dans son hom\u00e9lie, le pape L\u00e9on a invit\u00e9 les p\u00e8lerins \u00e0 ouvrir leur c\u0153ur \u00e0 Dieu et \u00e0 s'aventurer avec lui \u201cvers l'\u00e9ternit\u00e9\u201d.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV approaches Tor Vergata in Rome by helicopter on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media<\/p>\n
NCYC took place in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium from Nov. 20\u201322. On Nov. 21, Pope Leo held a historic digital encounter with American teenagers.<\/p>\n
During this live conversation, five teenagers asked the pope questions regarding using technology, recovering from mistakes, giving worries to Jesus, avoiding distractions, and preparing for the future of the Church. The pope gave guidance to the young crowd with words applicable to both teenagers and the universal Church.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV speaks to teenagers during a digital encounter at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) on Nov. 21, 2025. | Credit: Tessa Gervasini\/CNA<\/p>\n
Canonizations of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis<\/p>\n
On Sept. 7, 2025, Pope Leo canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis in his first canonization ceremony before an estimated 70,000 people in St. Peter\u2019s Square.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we look to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him,\u201d he said during his homily.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cDear friends, Sts. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Release of his first apostolic letter<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV released his first apostolic letter, Dilexi Te, on Oct. 9, 2025. The document emphasizes the idea that the poor are not simply objects of charity but also evangelists who can prompt us to conversion through their example of weakness and reliance on God.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe poor can act as silent teachers for us, making us conscious of our presumption and instilling within us a rightful spirit of humility,\u201d Leo writes in Dilexi Te (\u201cI Have Loved You\u201d). \u201cThe elderly, for example, by their physical frailty, remind us of our own fragility, even as we attempt to conceal it behind our apparent prosperity and outward appearance. The poor … remind us how uncertain and empty our seemingly safe and secure lives may be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pontiff quotes his predecessor throughout the document, which was first drafted during Pope Francis’ pontificate and draws heavily on the late pope\u02bcs first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, on the joy of the Gospel.<\/p>\n
First major international trip: Turkey and Lebanon<\/p>\n
Pope Leo made his first international papal trip to Turkey and Lebanon Nov. 27\u2013Dec. 2, 2025. The wide-ranging international visit included historic ecumenical encounters, deeply symbolic gestures of prayer, and pastoral visits to Christian communities under pressure. Pope Leo highlighted the importance of unity, peace, and fraternity, and brought encouragement to a region marked by ancient faith and present suffering.<\/p>\n
One highlight from his time in Turkey included the commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in the Turkish city of Iznik, the site of the Council of Nicaea, historically known as the birthplace of the Nicene Creed.<\/p>\n
In Lebanon, Pope Leo became the first pope in history to visit the tomb of St. Charbel Makhlouf when he arrived at the Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV reflects on the enduring message of St. Charbel Makhlouf at the hermit\u2019s tomb at the Monastery of St. Maron, in Annaya, Lebanon, on Dec. 1, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media<\/p>\n
An extraordinary consistory<\/p>\n
In his opening address at an extraordinary consistory \u2014 which convened from Jan. 7\u20138 \u2014 Pope Leo assured the cardinals from around the world gathered at the Vatican that \u201cI am here to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n
This extraordinary consistory \u2014 different from the ordinary ones, which are more limited and frequent \u2014 was scheduled to take place immediately after the Jubilee of Hope to \u201coffer support and advice to the Holy Father in the exercise of his high and arduous responsibility of governing the Church,\u201d according to a statement from the Holy See.<\/p>\n
The consistory was a closed-door meeting to which no media were admitted, and cardinals were asked to keep the proceedings confidential. However, the cardinals were expected to offer the new pontiff their views on two specific topics: the Synod and synodality, and the mission of evangelization and the missionary character of the Church.<\/p>\n
First Holy Week and Easter celebrations as pope<\/p>\n
During Holy Week and Easter 2026, Pope Leo presided over the Church\u2019s most solemn liturgies in Rome, beginning with Palm Sunday and continuing through the chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord\u2019s Supper, the Good Friday Passion celebration, the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, the Easter Vigil at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, and finally Easter Sunday Mass with the \u201curbi et orbi\u201d blessing from St. Peter\u2019s Square. <\/p>\n
This was the first time in several years that a pope participated in all the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Due to Pope Francis\u2019 declining health toward the end of his papacy, he had to scale back his participation in many of these events.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo was also the first pope since John Paul II in 1994 to carry the wooden cross to all 14 stations during the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV carries the cross during the Via Crucis at the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 3, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ib\u00e1\u00f1ez\/EWTN News<\/p>\n
Historic 11-day trip to Africa<\/p>\n
Pope Leo spent 11 days in Africa \u2014 from April 13\u201323 \u2014 and visited four countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. During this trip, he traveled more than 11,000 miles on 18 separate flights. With stops in 11 cities across those countries, the Holy Father met with the youth, political leaders, prisoners, families, and many more to share the Gospel message.<\/p>\n
Throughout his journey, he emphasized themes of peace, reconciliation, and economic justice, meeting with local leaders, clergy, and lay faithful. Large crowds gathered for outdoor Masses, reflecting the vibrancy and rapid growth of Catholicism in many African communities.<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of the trip was Pope Leo\u2019s visit to Annaba \u2014 ancient Hippo \u2014 in what for the Augustinian pontiff amounted to a return to the roots of his faith and vocation. Despite pouring rain, the pope walked through the ruins and, at the end of the route, laid a wreath of flowers and stopped for a moment of prayer, visibly moved.<\/p>\n
The pope also paid a visit to the Bata penitentiary in Equatorial Guinea and told inmates that \u201cno one is excluded from God\u2019s love\u201d and urged them to see that even behind bars, there remains the possibility of change, reconciliation, and hope. This prison is one of the country\u2019s harshest, known for its difficult conditions.<\/p>\n
Pope Leo XIV displays a crucifix while speaking to prisoners at Bata Prison, Equatorial Guinea, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media<\/p>\n
Strong messaging on war and peace<\/p>\n
The Holy Father has made peace a defining theme of his pontificate from the very beginning, opening his first public remarks with the words \u201cPeace be with you.\u201d That simple greeting set the tone for a broader vision \u2014 one rooted in the Gospel but directed squarely at a world marked by conflict and division.<\/p>\n
In homilies and international addresses, he has consistently framed peace not as the absence of war but as an active, daily commitment grounded in justice, reconciliation, and respect for human dignity.<\/p>\n
The pope has urged world leaders to reject cycles of violence and instead foster what he has called a \u201cculture of peace.\u201d Speaking in the context of ongoing global tensions, he has warned against the normalization of war as a tool of policy, insisting that lasting solutions can only come through dialogue and mutual understanding.<\/p>\n
The pope has also addressed the dangers of modern warfare, including the threat of nuclear escalation. He has called for renewed international efforts toward disarmament and de-escalation, emphasizing that the destructive power of nuclear weapons demands a moral as well as political response.<\/p>\n
Reiterating the Church\u2019s long-standing teaching, Pope Leo has encouraged nations to pursue diplomacy over aggression, presenting dialogue not as weakness but as the strongest and most enduring path to peace.<\/p>\n
Cet article a \u00e9t\u00e9 initialement publi\u00e9 par EWTN News English.<\/p>\n