Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pontiff, officially announced the commencement of his papacy to the world by celebrating his inaugural Mass at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on May 18 (local time).
At approximately 9:07 a.m. that day, Leo XIV appeared in St. Peter's Square riding in the open-roofed white papal vehicle known as the papamobile.
As he processed across the square, the Pope greeted the faithful who shouted "Viva il Papa!" by waving to them, and bestowed blessings by kissing the foreheads of infants.
He then entered St. Peter's Basilica and, around 10 a.m., began the enthronement ceremony by venerating the tomb where St. Peter, the first pope, is interred.
Inside the basilica, the Litany of the Saints, in which the names of Catholic saints are invoked for their intercession, and the ancient hymn "Laudes Regiae" ("Christ is Victorious") resounded. The Pope, accompanied by the College of Cardinals, processed toward St. Peter's Square and ascended the altar, with the inaugural Mass officially beginning at 10:15 a.m.
The Pope opened the Mass in Latin, saying, "Brothers and sisters, on this day of the Lord, we recall the meaning of baptism through this sign of water." During the Mass, he formally commenced his papacy by donning the pallium, a white woolen band symbolizing papal authority, and the Fisherman's Ring.
The pallium represents the role of the Good Shepherd who seeks out and carries home the lost sheep, while the Fisherman's Ring symbolizes the mission to preserve church unity and faith, following the example of St. Peter, the first pope.
Afterward, twelve representatives of the various orders of the Church came before the Pope to pledge their obedience. These twelve, symbolizing the apostles of Jesus, included three cardinals, one bishop, one priest, one deacon, one male and one female superior general of religious orders, a married couple, a boy, and a girl.
During this Mass, Leo XIV revealed the pastoral direction he intends to pursue, presenting his vision for the papacy for the first time.
The inauguration Mass was attended by government representatives from more than 200 countries around the world, as well as leaders from various religions, who gathered to witness the beginning of the new papacy.
Diplomatic guests included Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany; Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy; Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada; Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine; and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel.
From the United States, the Pope’s country of origin, Vice President J.D. Vance was present, and from Peru, where the Pope holds citizenship, President Dina Boluarte attended. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Prince Edward, brother of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, also appeared at the enthronement ceremony.
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