STORY: Pope Leo criticised the emergence of nationalist political movements on Sunday (June 8), calling them unfortunate, without naming a specific country or national leader.

Leo, the first pope from the U.S., asked during a Mass with a crowd of tens of thousands in St. Peter's Square that God would "open borders, break down walls (and) dispel hatred."

Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8 to succeed the late Pope Francis as leader of the 1.4-billion-member Church.

Before becoming pontiff, Prevost was not shy about criticising U.S. President Donald Trump, sharing numerous disapproving posts about Trump and Vice President JD Vance on X in recent years.

The Vatican has not confirmed the new pope's ownership of the X account, which had the handle @drprevost, and was deactivated after Leo's election.

Leo was celebrating a Mass for Pentecost, one of the Church's most important holidays.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (JUNE 8, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. CROWD IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

2. VARIOUS OF PROCESSION ENTERING THE SQUARE

3. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO ARRIVING

4. CROWD IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

5. CROWDS TAKING A SEAT

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

“The Spirit breaks down barriers and tears down the walls of indifference and hatred because he 'teaches us all things and 'reminds us of Jesus' words'. He teaches us, reminds us, and writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the centre and summit of everything.”

7. VARIOUS OF CROWDS DURING SPEECH

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

“Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms.”

9. POPE LEO SPEAKING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"Let us invoke the Spirit of love and peace, that he may open borders, break down walls, dispel hatred and help us to live as children of our one Father who is in heaven."

11. VARIOUS OF CROWDS IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

12. STATUE OF MARY AND BABY JESUS

13. VARIOUS OF CROWDS SINGING IN ST PETER'S SQUARE DURING SERVICE

14. POPE LEO DURING SERVICE

15. CROWDS IN ST PETER'S SQUARE