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 celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel where he was elected less than 24 hours earlier, warning of the dangers caused by a lack of faith and hoping the Catholic Church could be a beacon lighting the world's "dark nights".