Pope Leo XIV calls for end to wars in Ukraine, Gaza

Rev. John Wauck has told ABC News that the pope views America and the West as “missionary territory” after listening to Pope Leo's homily from the Sistine Chapel on Friday morning.

“Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure," the newly elected pope said. “These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied."

"Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society," the pope continued. “Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism."

Pope Leo XIV's first mass as pontiff lasted a little over an hour and twenty minutes and, as he was leaving, the College of Cardinals gave him a long round of applause as he walked among them and exited the Sistine Chapel.

Leo will recite the Regina Coeli prayer from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday at noon and on Monday at 10 a.m., Leo will give an audience to all accredited journalists and media workers, in which he is expected to give a speed.

Pope Leo XIV is wearing black shoes, like Pope Francis wore, during his first mass which is being held at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Pope Benedict XVI, however, often wore red shoes.

Pope Leo XIV began his first homily at the Sistine Chapel in English on Friday, inviting people to "recognize the marvels that the Lord has done."

"I begin with a word in English, and the rest is in Italian, but I want to repeat the words from the Responsorial Psalm," Pope Leo XIV said. "I will sing a new song to the Lord, because he has done marvels, and indeed, not just with me, but with all of us, my brother cardinals, as we celebrate this morning,"

"I invite you to recognize the marvels that the Lord has done, the blessings that the Lord continues to pour out upon all of us," the pope continued. "Through the ministry of Peter. You have called me to carry that cross and to be blessed with that mission. And I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a church, as a community of friends of Jesus as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the gospel."