New Delhi, May 18 -- Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, officially began his pontificate on Sunday with a stirring call for unity and peace during his inaugural Mass at St. Peter's Square, witnessed by over 200,000 faithful, dignitaries, and clergy.

"I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world," the 69-year-old Chicago-born pontiff declared in his homily. "In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest."

The pope was visibly moved during the Mass when he rec...