VATICAN CITY — In a vibrant display of faith and emotion, tens of thousands of Catholics converged in St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV deliver his inaugural Sunday blessing precisely at noon. Enthusiastic believers brought forth flags from various nations, responding with cheers and tears as the world watched the new pope, who hails from the United States, gesture from the loggia. The moment was especially poignant as he extended greetings to mothers, acknowledging Mother’s Day.
Devotees began flocking to the Vatican well ahead of time, with bands setting the atmosphere before Pope Leo appeared from the crimson backdrop of St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony to offer his words of faith. The crowd’s reactions ranged from exultant cheers to quiet reflection.
A particularly vocal celebration came from Wesley Buonerba, a U.S. college student who postponed his return home for Mother’s Day to partake in the blessing. Full of joy, he expressed feeling blessed and sketched a watercolor of the pope amidst a sea of recording smartphones.
Nearby, a trio of Peruvian nuns donned red roses on their traditional brown habits to mark the festive day and hoisted a prominent red-and-white flag. Sister Alicia Tasayco, the leader of a religious order in Lima, expressed her conviction that Pope Leo’s longstanding commitment to aiding the underprivileged would guide his papacy, emphasizing his support for empowering women within the Church.
In another corner of the square, Sister Rosalba Hernández from Guadalajara, Mexico, waved her country’s flag, sharing optimism that Pope Leo’s insights as an Augustinian would continue to elevate women religious in the Church.
Among the diverse assembly was a five-year-old Valentina Román Calle, perched on her father’s shoulders and dressed in Peru’s soccer colors, while her family sought the pope’s blessing for Valentina’s sibling who was preparing for surgery. Her mother, Elizabeth Calle, felt a connection with Pope Leo, hoping he would be a champion for their needs and broader migrant issues.
The crowd erupted in applause as Pope Leo called for peace and encouraged the youth not to fear, evoking themes synonymous with the late St. John Paul II. Kathy Fernández, a visitor from Peru, humorously noted the many hopes placed upon the pope: family protection, youth inspiration in faith, job creation, and global harmony.
Meanwhile, observing the scene unfold in the square’s majestic colonnade, Father Michael Masteller from Los Angeles reflected on the moment’s significance. He described a feeling of tranquility stemming from Pope Leo’s serene authority. “He has this calmness,” Masteller noted, adding that it imbued him with confidence.