Pope Leo XIV has addressed Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel during his first mass as the Catholic Pontiff, opening his remarks in English.

“You have called me to be blessed with the mission of leading the Church,” he told them.

“I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the good news, to announce the Gospel.”

Switching to Latin, he expressed hope that his election would help the Catholic Church bring light to “the dark nights of this world” and vowed to be a “faithful administrator” for the entire Church.

King Charles sends a private message of congratulations to Pope Leo

King Charles has sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election.

Buckingham Palace says the King and Queen sent Pope Leo their “sincere good wishes for his Pontificate”.

King Charles and Queen Camilla had held one of the last high profile meetings with his predecessor, Pope Francis, visiting him in the Vatican in the weeks before his death.

BBC/Maxwell Oyekunle

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