Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Anniversary with Mass in Pompeii Following Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Pope Leo XIV led a holy Mass in Piazza Bartolo Longo in front of the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei on May 8 2026, the first anniversary of his election. The pontiff used the occasion to ask God to inspire world leaders to calm global tensions and reduce hatred. He asked worshippers on May 8 2026 to pray that global governments would turn away from violence.

In his address to thousands gathered in Pompei's main square, Pope Leo XIV said he would join their prayers that God would begin touching hearts, calming rancour and fratricidal hatreds, and enlightening those who have special responsibilities of government.

He said world peace is endangered by international tensions and by an economy that prefers the arms trade to respect for human life. "We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news shows us every day," said Leo.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on May 7 2026. The two held talks in an atmosphere of tension with Washington. The Vatican said that Pope Leo XIV and Marco Rubio pledged to improve their bilateral relations.

U.S. embassy to the Holy See said on X that Leo and Rubio discussed topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere. S. President Donald Trump after criticizing the Iran war.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly disparaged the pontiff on social media. Pope Leo XIV visited Pompei, a modern city about 245 km (152 miles) south of Rome near the famed ruins of a volcanic eruption. Later on May 8 2026 he visited Naples, Italy's third-largest city, and praised initiatives by groups there to welcome refugees coming to Italy from Gaza.

He urged Neapolitans to continue to give voice to a culture of peace, countering the logic of confrontation and the force of arms as the presumed solution to conflicts. S. pope, was formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost.

He was elected by the world's cardinals on May 8 2025 to succeed the late Pope Francis. 4 billion members. Prevost spent decades as a missionary and a bishop in Peru before becoming pope.

Pope Leo XIV kept a relatively low profile in his first 10 months as pope. He has been speaking forcefully against war and despotism in recent weeks.

The same reporting noted his urging that people not become accustomed to war.