Pope Leo XIV has taken the reins as leader of the Catholic Church, starting his first day as Pontiff with a mass at the Sistine Chapel, during which he called his election both a cross and a blessing.

Pope Leo XIV begins his first full week as leader of the world's Catholics on Monday, with journalists, diplomats and top Vatican officials all set to meet the newly elected pontiff. Pomp and prayer marked the initial days of the pontificate of the former Robert Francis Prevost,