VATICAN— Pope Leo XIV used his first homily as the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics diagnosing the human crisis.

Speaking at a Mass in the Sistine Chapel with the cardinal electors who chose him, he issued a pointed challenge to the faithful, warning that the Christian faith is increasingly dismissed in modern society, even by those who claim it.

“There are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent,” Leo said in Italian. The pontiff cautioned against a culture that prioritizes technology, power and pleasure over faith.

He also warned of a growing trend he termed “practical atheism,” where even baptized Christians treat Jesus merely as a charismatic figure, rather than as the Son of God.

“This is the world that has been entrusted to us,” he said, invoking the teaching of Pope Francis, “a world in which we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Saviour.”

The pope then lamented what he sees as a loss of meaning in modern life, linking it to a decline in faith.

Pope Leo also called for Catholics to embrace missionary outreach, especially in environments where faith is “mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied.”

“A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” he added.

Pope Leo, formerly U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected by the cardinals on Thursday as the new pope on the second day of the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month.

Before delivering his homily, the pontiff spoke in English, reflecting on the weight and grace of the papal ministry and urging unity in proclaiming the Gospel.

“To the ministry of Peter you have called me to carry the cross and to be blessed with that mission,”he said. “And I know I can rely on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue, as a Church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers, to announce the Good News.”