Pope Leo's First Greeting and Urbi et Orbi Blessing: "Peace Be With You!"

Yesterday, Pope Leo XIV greeted the the world from the balcony above St. Peter's Basilica. Here is the English translation of his first address:

[In Italian] Peace be with you! Dearest brothers and sisters, this was the first greeting of the risen Christ, the good shepherd who gave His life for the flock of God. I, too, would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth: Peace be with you.

This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions. Let us keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome - the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter.

Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs His light. Humanity needs Him like a bridge to reach God and His love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace.

Thank you Pope Francis!

Thank you to my Cardinal brothers who chose me to be the Successor of Peter and to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear, proclaiming Christ, to be missionaries, faithful to the gospel.

I am a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian. He said, “With you I am a Christian, for you a bishop." So may we all walk together towards that homeland that God has prepared for us.

To the Church of Rome, a special greeting:

We have to look together how to be a missionary Church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.

[In Spanish]: Hello to all and especially to those of my diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, a loyal, faithful people accompanying the bishop and helping the bishop.

[Returning to Italian]: To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.

Today is the day of the Supplicatio [Plea] to Our Lady of Pompei.

Our blessed mother Mary always wants to walk with us, be close to us, she always wants to help us with her intercession and her love. So let us pray together for this mission, and for all of the Church, and for peace in the world.

We ask for this special grace from Mary, our Mother.

Hail Mary, [joined by crowd in the square...] full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

[Applause from crowd]

Cardinal Mamberti then announced that Pope Leo XIV would proceed with a blessing.

Here are the words of Cardinal Mamberti: "The Holy Father Leo to all the faithful present and to those who receive his blessing through radio, television, and other technologies of communication, grants the plenary indulgence in the form established by the Church. Let us pray to Almighty God that he may preserve for long the Pope as guide of the Church and grant peace and unity to the Church throughout the world."

Pope Leo XIV then delivered the Papal Blessing Benedictio Coram Populo:

[In Latin:] May the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, in whose power and authority we trust, intercede for us before the Lord. Amen.

Through the prayers and merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints: may Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive all your sins, and may Jesus Christ bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

May the Almighty and most merciful God grant you forgiveness, absolution and remission of all your sins, time for a true and worthy penance, an ever-penitent heart, and true amendment of life, the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit and final perseverance in good works. Amen.

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come down upon you and remain with you always. Amen.