Leo XIV Criticized Vice President Vance During His Cardinal Years
World Leaders and Religious Figures to Attend in Large Numbers
Minister Yoo In-chon to Represent the Korean Government
The inauguration mass for the new Pope Leo XIV will be held on the 18th at 10 a.m. local time (5 p.m. Korean time) at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, with representatives from over 200 countries and various religious leaders from around the world in attendance. On the 15th, Yonhap News, citing a White House announcement, reported that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will visit the Vatican for the Pope's inauguration mass, leading a delegation that includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his spouse.
The inauguration mass of the new Pope Leo XIV will be held on the 18th at 10 a.m. local time (5 p.m. Korean time) at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, with representatives from over 200 countries and various religious leaders attending worldwide. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Previously, Pope Leo XIV, who is from the United States, had expressed criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies in posts on social networking services (SNS) during his tenure as cardinal. He pointed out that Vice President Vance invoked the concept of love for family and neighbors from the Bible while defending the deportation policy for undocumented immigrants, arguing that this was a misrepresentation of Christian doctrine. There is growing curiosity about what kind of conversation might take place during Vice President Vance's visit to the Vatican.
There is growing curiosity about what kind of conversation might take place during Vice President Pence's visit to the Vatican. Photo by EPA and Yonhap News
According to The Times of the United Kingdom on the 14th (local time), on the day of the inauguration mass, Pope Leo XIV will first visit the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope, which is located beneath St. Peter's Basilica. This is a symbolic ritual signifying the succession of the papacy. Afterwards, the "Litany of the Saints" and the ancient hymn "Christus Vincit" (Laudes Regiae) will be sung as the College of Cardinals processes from the basilica to the square.
During the mass, Pope Leo XIV will wear the two symbols of papal authority: the "pallium," a white woolen band worn over the shoulders, and the "Fisherman's Ring." The pallium is handmade by the nuns of the Santa Cecilia Monastery in Trastevere. The red crosses embroidered on the front, back, and sides represent the five wounds of Christ. The wool symbolizes the Good Shepherd seeking the lost sheep.
The "Fisherman's Ring" originates from Jesus' words to Peter, "I will make you a fisher of men." This ring symbolizes the papal office. When a pope passes away, the ring is destroyed. Former Pope Francis, emphasizing simplicity, chose a gold-plated silver ring. There is interest in how the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV, who values tradition and formality, will be conducted. During the mass, a delegation of 12 individuals, symbolizing the Twelve Apostles, will pledge their obedience before the pope. This delegation consists of three cardinals, one bishop, one priest, one deacon, the heads of a men's and a women's religious order, a married couple, one boy, and one girl, representing the entire Church.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to announce his new pastoral direction during his homily. Given that he emphasized "Peace be with you all" in his first greeting on the 8th, it is anticipated that the message of world peace will be central. This will be followed by the Eucharistic Prayer, prayers of thanksgiving, the Communion rite, and the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing in Latin, meaning "to the city and to the world." The entire mass is expected to last two to three hours.
World Leaders and Religious Figures to Attend...Crowds Expected to Reach 250,000
More than 200 government representatives from around the world and various religious leaders will attend this coronation mass. So far, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; Prince Edward of the United Kingdom; J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States; Javier Milei, President of Argentina; and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, have confirmed their attendance. EPA·Yonhap News
This inauguration mass will be attended by representatives from over 200 countries and various religious leaders. So far, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; Prince Edward of the United Kingdom; J.D. Vance, Vice President of the United States; Javier Milei, President of Argentina; and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, have confirmed their attendance. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is also expected to attend.
From Korea, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Bishop Mathias Lee Yong-hoon (President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea), Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick (Archbishop of Seoul), and Father Song Young-min (Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference) will attend. Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik and Monsignor Jung Yeon-jeong, who participated in the papal conclave, are also expected to be present. Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will attend as the head of Korea's congratulatory delegation. Meanwhile, local media have projected that about 250,000 people will gather on the day. The Rome police are preparing a large-scale security plan, mobilizing about 5,000 police officers, snipers, drone defense systems, and helicopters.
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