Topline
Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Catholic Church, presided over his inaugural Mass at the Vatican on Sunday, where thousands of people and a number of world leaders gathered to meet and celebrate him.
Pope Leo XIV arrives, greets the public before the Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate in … More
Key Facts
Leo—the first American pope—on Sunday greeted Vice President JD Vance, who met Pope Francis one day before he died last month, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with scores of other leaders.
During Mass, Leo said he wants the Church to be “a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity within the world” that has “too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference,” according to the Associated Press.
At the end of Mass, Leo, who was inaugurated as the 267th pope, called for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, saying “we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war.”
Pope Leo XIV meets with Vice President JD Vance at the end of the inauguration Mass.
Front row right to left, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance, Louis Prevost, brother … More
Pope Leo XIV receives the pallium, or lambswool stole, a symbol of the papacy.
What Is The Inaugural Mass?
The inaugural Mass marked the official beginning of Leo’s pontificate. It had a number of symbolic elements—like a stole and ring, that represent the papacy, being placed on him and the rite of Obedience in which 12 representatives pledge obedience to the pope—and included an address from Leo.
Who Was At The Mass?
In addition to Vance and Rubio, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in attendance, as was newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Prince Edward from the United Kingdom. The New York Times reported there were also representatives from Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, Israel, Portugal and more.
Big Number
200,000. That’s how many people the Vatican said were in St. Peter’s Square by the end of the inaugural Mass.
Pope Leo XIV seen on his special car “Papamobile.”
A view of St. Peter’s Square during the inauguration Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.
Key Background
Leo—who was born Robert Francis Prevost—was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church in the conclave process on May 8 after just four ballots and two days of voting. Leo is from Chicago, though he spent much of his career in Peru, and he is seen as more centrist than his predecessor, Pope Francis, though in his first address as pope he called for a “church that builds bridges, that is always open to receive everyone.” He selected the papal name Leo as a nod to Pope Leo XIII, who championed the working class, defending workers’ rights and fair wages during his papacy, which ran from 1878 to 1903.
Crucial Quote
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother, who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family,” Leo said Sunday, according to the Vatican.
People hold a U.S. flag prior to the arrival of Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV celebrates a Mass for the formal inauguration of his pontificate.
Further Reading
Pope Leo XIV Elected: What We Know About First American Pope (Forbes)
Pope Leo XIV Explains His Name Choice—Here’s What He Told Cardinals (Forbes)
JD Vance, Marco Rubio Will Attend Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass (Forbes)
