Pope Leo XIV, notably the first American pope, made his first appearance at St. Peter’s Square in Pepemovie on Sunday, warmly welcoming thousands of pilgrims and their families ahead of his inauguration Mass.
Chicago-native Robert Francis Prevast, who became the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics around the globe on May 8, stood in a white vehicle, enthusiastically cheering, smiling, waving, and making the sign of the cross for the crowd.
The inauguration Mass, starting at 10am (0800 GMT), drew many senior officials, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Leo will preside over a ceremony rich in tradition, receiving his unique Pope ring and delivering a Homily that sets the tone for his papacy.
Despite serving as a missionary in Peru for two decades, the 69-year-old remains relatively unknown to many Catholics. However, recent interactions with journalists, clergy, and diplomats have offered a glimpse into his leadership style, as he repeatedly emphasized peace and the necessity of social justice in today’s conflict-ridden world.
He also reiterated traditional Catholic values, highlighting the significance of families formed by a “stable union of men and women,” and defended fetal rights.
Inasia Lisboa, a 71-year-old originally from Rome, mentioned that she woke up early to secure a good spot to see the man who, as she put it, “entered my heart.”
When asked about what she wanted to hear from him, she shared her hopes with AFP.
Leo’s rise has generated considerable excitement in the U.S., represented by Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, alongside Catholic Secretary Marco Rubio.
Before his papacy, Leo shared criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies on his now-inaccessible personal X account, though that account is currently not available.
Interestingly, Vance was the last global leader to meet Pope Francis, right before Francis passed away on April 21, concluding his 12-year pontificate.
Other distinguished guests anticipated include Ukrainian leader Voldy Mirzelensky, who had met Trump at St. Peter’s Cathedral during Francis’ funeral, alongside German Prime Minister Friedrich Merz.
The guest list, provided by the Vatican, also features prominent figures like Peru’s President Dina Boralto, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Colombia’s Gustavo Petro.
For the event, Italian authorities are deploying thousands of security personnel, enhanced by roof snipers and anti-drone measures.
Pope Leo XIV was elected as the 267th pope on May 8 following a secret conclave of Cardinals that lasted less than a day.
Inheriting from the charismatic yet impulsive Francis, Leo faces a church still grappling with the repercussions of administrative child abuse scandals as it attempts to modernize.
Despite the challenges, Sunday’s ceremony remains a blend of modernity and tradition. Though papal coronations have not occurred since Paul VI in 1963, the inauguration continues to be a grand and ceremonial event.
Leo will start by visiting the tomb of St. Peter, one of Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles and among the first popes, located beneath the cathedral named after him.
Following that, he will accept sacred symbols, including the pallium—strips of fabric worn over his robe—and the fisherman’s ring.
Alongside fellow cardinals and clergy, the Pope will then proceed through a procession towards St. Peter’s Square, where a large screen will broadcast the event to the assembled crowd.
As the ceremony concludes, the Pope will greet the heads of state, although it remains unclear if any will have a chance for a private audience with him.
