from ACNS
As Pope Leo’s words floated over St Peter’s Square today, a call to unity, peace and mission were major themes in his inauguration message.
He appealed for a united Church, to be “a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world”. He also encouraged the faithful to “Look to Christ! Come closer to him…” and to “Listen to his offer of love and become his one family: in the one Christ, we are one.”
It was a message of hope and encouragement, received well by the thousands gathered for the inauguration Mass, which took place in St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square.
Representatives of world Christian Communions and faith groups attended, including a delegation of Anglican Primates and leaders from around the Anglican Communion. The delegation was led by the Most Revd Leonard Dawea, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia.