Pope Leo XIV live: Pontiff makes veiled swipe at Trump with call to ‘disarm our words’

The Pope is now greeting journalists and media representatives one-by-one.

Each person he greets is met with a smile and a handshake, along with a few warm words.

One woman presents the Pope with a striped scarf, which he drapes over his neck before taking a photo with her to cheers from the crowd.

Dozens more hands reach out to him as he walks by, attempting to present him with gifts and receive blessings.

A crying baby is blessed on the forehead by the new American pontiff.

Pope Leo’s demand for unity has continued, calling on the world to “disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred”.

He continued: “Let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.

“Let us disarm words. Let us disarm words and we will help the world disarm. Disarming communication will allow us to share events of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”

Leo told the journalists they are at the “forefront of reporting on conflicts and aspirations of peace, situations of injustice and poverty, and the silent work of so many people striving to create a better world”.

Pope Leo has used his opening remarks to issue a call for unity.

“The way we communicate is of fundamental importance,” he said. “We must say no to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war.”

The pontiff also reiterated the church’s “solidarity with journalists who are in prison for speaking the truth… while also asking for their release”.

“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations,” he added.

Pope Leo XIV has now walked into the hall to a rapturous round of applause and cheers from the large group of media.

He greets the crowd. “Thank you for this wonderful reception,” he begins.

“When they clap at the beginning, it doesn’t matter much,” he jokes. “If you’re still awake at the end and still want to applaud, thank you very much.”

Thousands of journalists are in position in the Vatican’s grand Paul VI Hall, waiting in silence for Pope Leo XIV to arrive.

The press conference is due to start any moment now – we’ll bring you all the key lines here.

A priest and former friend of Pope Leo – when he was still known as Robert Prevost – has described the new pontiff as “gentle” and “practical” – and recalled him cooking meals and helping with the washing up while a bishop in Peru.

Leo XIV once served as a bishop in Chiclayo, a northern Peruvian diocese where he became friends with Pedro Vásquez, an 82-year-old priest.

“There was a connection between us from the very beginning,” says the retired priest, who sees himself as an “older brother”.

“He’s gentle, but when it comes to being serious, he really comes out.”

Leo is also “studious, intellectual, but also very practical,” Mr Vásquez said. “When he finished eating, he would take his plate to the kitchen; when we were locked down during the pandemic, he would cook,” the priest added.

Were Donald Trump’s ears burning as the cardinals gathered in conclave at the Sistine Chapel? Is it inconceivable that the president’s name was uttered in hushed tones in some corner of the historic sanctuary, under Michelangelo’s Adam, to sway a vote in favor of an American?

It’s of course a liberal fantasy to think that Pope Leo XIV was elected head of the ancient Catholic Church to handle the fleeting earthly man in the White House, but President Trump will nonetheless have to reckon with a fellow American, a leader on the world stage, who has spoken out against his policies and will likely continue to do so from perhaps the only bully pulpit to rival the Resolute Desk.

Trump has been nothing but enthusiastic about the new Pope — “What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country,” he said in reaction to the news — but that was before his allies unearthed Pope Leo’s criticisms of the president.

Before he was the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV was a moderate user of Twitter, which he used to deliver and share criticism of Trump’s America First agenda.

Pope Leo XIV won’t hesitate to speak out against US immigration policy and other social issues, his brother has said, even if it sees him clashing with the MAGA right.

The Chicago-born pontiff, who was previously a moderate social media user, has shared online criticisms of the Trump administration’s America First agenda, and in April reposted an op-ed critical of its mass deportations.

As members of the American right blast Leo as “woke” and an “open borders globalist”, his brother, John Prevost, has revealed he will continue to be outspoken.

Describing him as middle-of-the-road, Mr Prevost told the New York Times: “I don’t think we’ll see extremes either way.

“I don’t think he’ll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say.

“I know he’s not happy with what’s going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”

Pope Leo was a friend of Pope Francis and is believed to be ideologically close to the former pontiff.