This Sunday, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV will ceremonially step into his role as head of the Roman Catholic Church during a grand Mass in St. Peter’s Square, expected to draw tens of thousands of faithful, alongside a formidable roster of world leaders and European royals.
Commencing at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), the celebration will see the debut of Pope Leo’s white popemobile ride—a historic moment marking the first time a U.S.-born pontiff will greet the masses from behind its bulletproof glass. Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old spiritual leader also holds Peruvian citizenship, making him not only the first American pope but also the first to hail from Peru.
Robert Prevost, a relatively obscure figure on the global religious stage until recently, ascended to the papacy on May 8 following a remarkably swift conclave lasting less than 24 hours. He succeeds the late Pope Francis of Argentina, who passed away on April 21 after a tumultuous 12-year tenure marked by internal Church tensions and a strong focus on social justice.
The U.S. delegation to the inauguration will be headed by Vice President JD Vance—who had public disagreements with Pope Francis over immigration—and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will also be in attendance, with potential high-profile meetings on the sidelines, echoing his previous encounters with world leaders during Pope Francis’ funeral.
Dignitaries expected include the presidents of Peru, Israel, and Nigeria; the prime ministers of Italy, Canada, and Australia; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European royalty, including Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia, will also grace the occasion from seats near the central altar.
A Message of Reconciliation
Since his election, Pope Leo has frequently paid homage to Pope Francis but has revealed little about whether he will chart a similar course. His inaugural homily is anticipated to offer clues about his pastoral direction, though his early remarks point toward a strong emphasis on peacemaking.
On the evening of his election, his first words to the public were “Peace be with you all,” echoing the Catholic rite. In a May 14 address to leaders of Eastern Catholic Churches—many based in conflict regions like Ukraine and the Middle East—he vowed to pursue peace relentlessly, even offering the Vatican as a neutral mediator in global disputes.
Sunday’s Mass will include prayers in a wide array of languages—Latin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish, and Chinese—reflecting the diversity of the 1.4-billion-strong Catholic community
As part of the formal rites, Pope Leo will receive two symbolic items: the pallium, a woolen band signifying his pastoral authority, and the Fisherman’s Ring, a uniquely crafted gold signet featuring St. Peter holding the keys to Heaven. This ring, which authenticates official papal documents, will be ceremonially destroyed upon his death to signify the conclusion of his pontificate.