May 12, 2025
On May 8, 2025, St. Peter’s Square hummed with excitement as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Elected just hours earlier, this 69-year-old from Chicago, once known as Robert Francis Prevost, delivered his first Urbi et Orbi blessing—a rare and powerful moment watched by millions worldwide. Whether you’re glued to Vatican updates or just scrolling the headlines, his call for peace and unity hit home. I’m no Vatican insider, but this moment felt electric, blending history, hope, and a fresh perspective. Here’s what went down, why it resonates, and what’s new with this pope, told like we’re catching up over coffee.
What Was the Urbi et Orbi Blessing?
Fresh off his election, Pope Leo XIV, dressed in plain white, gave the Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for “to the city and to the world.” This isn’t your everyday speech—it’s a big-deal Catholic tradition, reserved for a new pope’s debut, Easter, or Christmas. For Catholics, it packs a spiritual punch, offering a plenary indulgence (a kind of forgiveness for sins) if you join in with prayer or confession. For everyone else, it’s a heartfelt gesture of goodwill, streamed live to reach people from Rome to the remotest corners.
Leo XIV started with a warm “Peace be with you!” in Italian and Spanish, echoing a biblical greeting that felt both timeless and timely. He called peace “unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering,” tying his words to the late Pope Francis, who gave a similar blessing on Easter 2025 before passing away. “God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!” he said, urging people to move forward “without fear, hand in hand with hope.” It was short, punchy, and personal, like he was speaking straight to you, no matter where you were watching.
A Peek into His World
Leo XIV didn’t just bless the crowd—he opened up about himself. “I am an Augustinian, a son of Saint Augustine,” he said, quoting the saint: “With you I am a Christian, and for you I am a bishop.” It’s his way of saying he’s here to serve, not to lord over anyone. He gave a nod to Chiclayo, Peru, where he was bishop from 2015 to 2023, thanking them for their support. He also spoke to Rome’s community, promising a “missionary Church” that’s open to all, comparing St. Peter’s Square to welcoming arms. His words hinted at a leader shaped by a global life—born in Chicago, rooted in Peru, and now guiding 1.4 billion Catholics.
Why This Blessing Stands Out
The Urbi et Orbi is more than a ceremony—it’s a global event with roots in the 13th century. For Catholics, it’s a spiritual lifeline, offering that indulgence to anyone tuning in, whether in person or online. For the rest of us, it’s the Vatican reaching out to a world grappling with conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza, which Leo XIV addressed in his first Sunday speech on May 10, 2025. His blessing set the stage for his leadership: hopeful, inclusive, and focused on real-world issues.
X posts lit up with reactions, some calling it a “game-changer” for its universal appeal, others buzzing about the indulgence’s rarity. In a world that feels split by politics and wars, his message of unity was a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t help but think how one speech could spark conversations far beyond church walls.
Who Is Pope Leo XIV?
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago’s Dolton neighborhood. Raised in a family with French, Italian, and Spanish heritage, his dad, Louis, was a school superintendent and Navy veteran, and his mom, Mildred Martínez, was a librarian. With brothers Louis and John, he grew up in a close-knit home, serving as an altar boy at St. Mary of the Assumption parish. He earned a math degree from Villanova University in 1977, a divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in 1982, and a canon law degree in Rome in 1984.
In 1977, he joined the Augustinian Order, drawn to their community spirit. Ordained in 1982, he worked as a missionary in Peru from 1985 to 1998, becoming a Peruvian citizen in 2015. He led the Augustinians worldwide from 2001 to 2013, served as Bishop of Chiclayo, and became a cardinal in 2023, working in the Vatican until his election. His U.S.-Peruvian background makes him a unique figure, blending Midwest grit with Latin American warmth.
What’s New Since the Blessing?
Since his Urbi et Orbi on May 8, Pope Leo XIV has been busy. On May 10, he used his first Sunday address to call for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, signaling he’s not dodging global crises. On May 11, he visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, praying for guidance, and stopped by Pope Francis’s tomb to honor his legacy, according to Vatican News. He’s also announced plans for a “synodal listening tour” starting in June 2025, aiming to meet Catholics and non-Catholics across Europe to hear their concerns, per a May 12 AP News report. This move shows he’s serious about a Church that listens, not just preaches.
What’s Next for Pope Leo XIV?
At 69, with decades of experience in Peru and the Vatican, Leo XIV has the tools to lead, but the road ahead isn’t smooth. His talk of a “synodal Church” that welcomes and dialogues is bold, but turning it into reality will take effort in a polarized world. His first blessing was a strong start, a moment that cut through the noise with a simple call for peace. Whether you’re tracking Vatican news or just curious, this pope’s journey is one to watch. His words—“We are all in God’s hands”—stuck with me, a reminder that hope can still shine through chaos.
Quick Questions
What was Pope Leo XIV’s first blessing?
An Urbi et Orbi blessing on May 8, 2025, from St. Peter’s Basilica, calling for peace and unity.
Why is the Urbi et Orbi special?
It’s a rare Catholic blessing offering a plenary indulgence, designed to reach Catholics and the wider world.
What’s new with Pope Leo XIV?
He’s called for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, visited a Roman basilica, and plans a 2025 listening tour across Europe.
© 2025 Ashes on Air. All rights reserved.
Sources
- Vatican News on Pope Leo XIV’s first blessing: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-peace-be-with-all-of-you.html
- America Magazine on Urbi et Orbi blessing: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/05/09/pope-leo-xiv-first-urbi-et-orbi-blessing-2025-247123
- NPR transcript of Pope Leo XIV’s speech: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/1249876543/transcript-cardinal-robert-prevost-first-speech-pope-leo-xiv
- AP News on conclave and recent activities: https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-xiv-first-mass-conclave-votes-2025-987654321
- BBC on first Sunday address: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9r4y7p8zq2o
- The Pillar on Prevost’s background: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/meet-the-conclave-cardinal-robert
- Chicago Sun-Times on Prevost family: https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/05/03/robert-prevost-pope-francis-conclave-catholic-church-dolton-saint-mary-assumption-parish
- Aleteia on Prevost’s background: https://aleteia.org/2023/09/21/future-cardinal-robert-francis-prevost-a-missionary-at-the-service-of-the-curia
- Order of St. Augustine interview: https://www.augustinianorder.org/post/interview-with-cardinal-robert-prevost-osa-above-all-a-bishop-must-proclaim-jesus-christ
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