France, May 9 -- Pope Leo XIV on Friday called on the cardinals who elected him for help to spread the Catholic faith during his first mass in Rome as pontiff.

Wearing white vestments, Pope Leoentered the Sistine Chapel and blessed the ranks of cardinals as he approached the altar.

Addressing them, he said in English: "You have called me to carry the cross and to be blessed. I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me."

It was the first time Pope Leo made public remarks in English. On Thursday night after his election he spoke in Italian and Spanish from the loggia of St Peter's Basilica.

"There are places or situations where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mock...