It is actually a day to mourn the men and women who died while serving our country, protecting our freedom. Perhaps lesser known, Memorial Day also asks Americans to pray for permanent peace. So ...

So, I would like to pray together with you. Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world and let us also ask Mary, our Mother, for this special grace.

Recalling the day’s feast day of Our Lady of Pompeii, Pope Leo invited those present to pray a Hail Mary with him “for this new mission, for the whole Church, for peace in the world.” ...

The following is the full first speech of Pope Leo XIV, given from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica shortly after his election as the new pope and leader of the Catholic Church.