Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as pope, says his election is a cross and a blessing

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV, history’s first North American pope, said Friday that his election was both a cross and a blessing as he celebrated his first Mass in Sistine Chapel.

Leo spoke off-the-cuff in English to the cardinals who elected him to lead the Catholic Church and follow in Pope Francis’ social justice-minded footsteps. He acknowledged the great responsibility they had placed on him before delivering a brief but dense homily...