«Peace be with all of you»: these were the words with which Pope Robert Francis Prevost introduced himself to the world on May 8, 2025, appearing from the Loggia of Blessings. Born in Chicago, an Augustinian friar, he chose the name Leo XIV. The choice itself is telling, but his words were even more so—dense with meaning, attentive, pastoral. We want to remember and meditate on them with you.
«"Peace be with all of you!"
My dearest brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave his life for God's flock.
I too wish this peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families, all people everywhere, all nations, all the earth. Peace be with you. This is the peace of the risen Christ—a peace unarmed and disarming, humble and steadfast. It comes from God.
God who loves us all, unconditionally.
We still hear in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis, blessing Rome. The Pope who blessed Rome and gave his blessing to the entire world that morning, on Easter Day. Allow me to continue that same blessing: God loves you, God loves all of you, and evil will not prevail. We are all in God's hands.
So without fear, hand in hand with God and with one another, let us move forward.
We are disciples of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge to be reached by God and his love. Help us—and help one another—to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, uniting all of us to be one people, always at peace.
Thank you, Pope Francis.
I want to thank all my brother cardinals who chose me to be the successor of Peter and to walk with you as a united Church, always seeking peace, always seeking justice, always working as men and women faithful to Jesus, without fear, to proclaim the Gospel and to be missionaries.
I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian friar, who said "with you I am a Christian, and for you a bishop." In this way we can all walk together toward that homeland God has prepared for us.
A special greeting to the Church of Rome.
We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to receive—like this square with open arms—all those who need our charity, our presence, our dialogue, our love.
He then greeted his diocese in Spanish, in Peru, which we have already translated for you.
And if you will permit me one more word, a greeting to all of you and especially to my beloved diocese of Chiclayo, in Peru, where a faithful people accompanied their bishop, shared their faith, and gave so much, so very much to continue being the faithful Church of Jesus Christ».