New Pope: Jesus Isn't 'Superman'

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass on Friday as head of the Catholic Church. Some highlights of key lines and moments:

• Leo fretted about the image of Jesus, among both non-believers and baptized Christians, per Vatican News. "There are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman." The UK Times reads this as an apparent reference to evangelical Christians.
• The first American pope in history also warned that much of the world lived "in a state of de facto atheism," reports the Wall Street Journal. "There are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure," he said. "They are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed."

• This loss of faith has contributed to "appalling violations of human dignity" throughout the world, he said, per the New York Times.
• The AP notes that two women delivered readings, possibly a sign that Leo will continue Francis' efforts to expand the role of women in the church. He also wore "simple black shoes," like Francis, skipping red ones favored by traditionalist popes, notes the outlet.

(The Chicago native is a fan of the White Sox, not the Cubs.)