Pope Leo XIV urges ending nature exploitation, poor marginalization

Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pontiff, began his papacy with a call to end exploitation of nature and marginalization of the poor during his inaugural mass in St Peter's Square.

The 69-year-old former missionary from Peru addressed tens of thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries, including US Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing unity and peace amidst global divisions.

Leo warned against closing off in small groups and urged the Church to offer God's love to everyone while valuing personal histories and cultural differences.

His elevation as pope has sparked enthusiasm in the United States but also raised concerns about an already influential country now having a prominent spiritual leader.

Italian authorities deployed thousands of security officers for the event, with snipers on rooftops and anti-drone operations to ensure safety.