VATICAN CITY — Jewish leaders got up-front seats at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass. An American rabbi there and other representatives saw that as a hopeful sign for an upswing of Catholic-Jewish relations under the first U.S.-born pontiff, after a strained relationship with his predecessor.

Pope Leo XIV vowed Sunday to work for unity in a polarized Catholic Church and world, as history’s first American pope offered a message of healing during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American leader of the Catholic Church, called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine at his inaugural mass.