Pope Leo XIV has officially hard launched his papacy. The new pontiff, 69-year-old Chicago native Robert Prevost, shared a message on Wednesday from the official @Pontifex account on X for the first time since being named the new head of the Catholic Church. The handle was first launched in 2012 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, was inaugurated at St. Peter's Square, attracting global leaders and crowds. Known for his peace advocacy, Leo pledged to mediate in conflicts and continue his predecessor's legacy.

Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach and mediatic draw.