Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago and one of the 10 U.S. cardinal electors at the conclave that elected the first ever American pope, discusses the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.

At first glance, it would seem that buying rosaries and listening to the pope cry out passionately against war have little to do with each other.

On his first Sunday appearance as pope, Leo XIV made a passionate appeal for peace and an end to the armed conflicts in the world, especially in Ukraine and Gaza, and cried out, “Never again war!”

At this early stage of Leo XIV’s pontificate, the text is a “must read” for Catholics. Here are three notable takeaways.

“I would like us to renew together today our complete commitment to the path that the universal church has now followed for decades in the wake of the Second Vatican Council,” Pope Leo said.

The late pope’s attention to geographic detail led to what was described as the most diverse conclave in the history of the church.

The pope’s visit to Egypt was a turning point, not only for many Egyptian Christians in strengthening their faith, but also in the way they were perceived by their Muslim peers.

These brothers talked on the phone every day. Now one of them is the pope.

Cardinal Robert Prevost, O.S.A. has chosen to be known by Leo XIV.

It’s hard to describe the mood in Vatican City right now. There is great expectation and excitement but also a sense of unease.