A remarkable assembly of global dignitaries is expected to attend Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass this Sunday, reflecting the broad international significance of the occasion. According to an official Vatican announcement, an extensive list of heads of state, royalty, and high-ranking officials from across the world will be present to mark the beginning of the new pontificate.
Among those set to attend are Albanian President Bajram Bega, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker. From Belgium, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will be accompanied by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, while Prince Edward will represent the United Kingdom.
Other notable attendees include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also take part in the proceedings, underlining the Vatican’s ties to the EU.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and President Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon are among the prominent names from Europe and Africa. Leaders from the Baltic and Balkan regions—such as Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, and Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut—will also be in attendance
Southern European nations are well-represented with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as well as Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. From the Vatican’s own neighborhood, Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene will attend, highlighting the event’s diplomatic gravitas.
The Americas will be present with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Paraguay’s Santiago Peña, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. From Africa and the Middle East, attendees include Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
With such a diverse and high-profile guest list, Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass stands as a major international event—both spiritually and diplomatically—signaling the start of a new era in Vatican leadership with global eyes watching closely.