Pope Leo XIV, First American Pontiff, Honors Pope Francis in Moving First Speech — and Declares ‘Evil Will Not Prevail’

Robert Francis Prevost has addressed the world for the first time as Pope Leo XIV.

The new pope, 69, stepped onto the center balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica just before 7:30 p.m. local time to deliver his first address as head of the Catholic Church.

Speaking in Italian and Spanish to a sea of supporters in St. Peter’s Square, who appeared to be visibly moved, the first words of his message were “peace be with you all.”

At another point during his speech, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, the new pope also thanked his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

“We still keep in our ears that weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis blessing Rome,” the new pope said. “The Pope who blessed Rome gave his blessing to the world, to the whole world that morning on Easter Sunday.”

He continued, “Allow me to follow up on that same blessing: God loves us, God loves you all and evil will not prevail.”

Pope Leo XIV noted that he is a “son of St. Augustine,” a saint remembered for his critical Bible interpretations and accessible rhetoric, according Britannica.

He also thanked his “brother cardinals” for choosing him as pope as well as his “dear diocese of Chiclayo in Peru.” Overall, he stressed a recurring theme of peace.

“We must be a synodal church. A church that walks. A church that always seeks peace. Always seeks charity. Always tries to be close especially to those who suffer,” he said.

The new pope then led a pray for the “new mission for the whole church for peace in the world.”

Born Sept. 14, 1955, Pope Leo XIV is a Peruvian-American from Chicago. In January 2023, Francis made him a prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and that September, Francis appointed him as Cardinal, per the Vatican.

The new pope’s chosen papal name, Leo, follows a long tradition dating back to St. Leo I, who died in 461.