Pope Leo’s ‘calming’ start

Different way: A file photo of Leo touring St Peter’s Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, on May 18, 2025. As Prevost marked his 100th day as the Pope, the contours of his pontificate have begun to come into relief, primarily where he shows continuity with Francis and where he signals change. — AP

WHEN Pope Leo XIV surprised tens of thousands of young people at a recent Holy Year celebration with an imp­romp­tu popemobile romp around St Peter’s Square, it almost seemed as if some of the informal spontaneity that characterised Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy had retur­ned to the Vatican.

But the message Leo delivered that night was all his own. In seamless English, Spanish and Italian, Leo told the young people that they were the “salt of the Earth, the light of the world”. He urged them to spread their hope, faith in Christ and cries of peace wherever they go.