Pope Leo XIV inauguration will be held on Sunday during a large Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the beginning of an historic papacy. The newly elected pope, born in Chicago and also a Peruvian citizen, is the first pontiff from the United States and South America, apart from Argentina. Robert Prevost, aged 69 and previously little-known cardinal, will now head the 1.4-billion-strong Catholic Church. His May 8 election came after a short 24-hour conclave following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
World leaders, royalty, and hundreds of thousands of devout will attend the ceremony. The pope’s previous statements and early speeches indicate a strong effort in calling for peace throughout the world. Sunday’s Mass will include universal languages and major religious traditions, officially declaring Leo XIV as the new spiritual shepherd.
New Era Starts in Vatican
The ceremony starts at 10 AM local time (0800 GMT). The square and surrounding streets are likely to fill up with crowds. Leo XIV will take his first public ride in the white popemobile for the occasion. The Mass will feature prayers in Latin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese. These represent the Church’s wide global reach.
Pope Leo XIV will be received with two most important symbols of his papal authority. The first is the pallium, a piece of lambswool symbolizing his authority as a shepherd. The second is the fisherman’s ring, made of gold and featuring an image of St. Peter with the keys to Heaven. The ring will eventually be obliterated after his death.
World Leaders Join the Celebration
Dignitaries from across the globe will be present. US Vice President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, will head the US delegation along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will also be there and willing to meet with other leaders. He last met Vance at the White House in February in an extremely publicized confrontation.
Peruvian, Israeli, and Nigerian presidents and Italian, Canadian, and Australian prime ministers will be there. Also attending will be European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia will sit close to the altar.
Peace Takes Center Stage
Since being elected, Pope Leo XIV has called repeatedly for peace. His first words in public were “Peace be with you all.” On May 14, he spoke to leaders of Eastern Catholics and committed himself to making “every effort” to seek peace. He has also made the Vatican available as a broker in international conflicts, emphasizing that war is “never inevitable.
Leo XIV has complimented his predecessor Pope Francis, who governed the Church through 12 difficult years. But he has not yet indicated how closely he will adhere to Francis’ vision of modernization. Sunday’s homily might provide the initial genuine insight into his own path as pope.
Leo XIV’s message and behavior to date indicate a papacy that is healing and unifying. The world will keenly observe as he assumes the leadership of the world Catholic Church.
