Pope Leo XIV first entered St. Peter’s Square in a Paparmobile on Sunday (18), while tens of thousands of people, including many world leaders, celebrated him as the new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
Crowds filled the square and the adjacent streets in Rome at the biggest meeting at the Vatican since the Funeral of the predecessor of Leo, Pope Francis, on April 26.
Devotees carried US and Peru flags to applaud the first Pope of the United States, who will celebrate his inaugural mass this morning.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old has spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship, which means he is also the first pontiff linked to that South American nation.
A person in the crowd shouted “White Sox, White Sox,” referring to the Chicago baseball team at the bottom of the American League classification. Leo never abandoned the team despite his recent mediocre performance and his fellow fanatical fans expect their support to take them out of the doldrums.
People sang “Live Il Papa” (Long live the Pope) and “Papa Leone,” his name in Italian.
The open popemobile was surrounded by more than a dozen security guards as he crossed the square and descended the long bulge that leads to the Tiber River to the first lion ride.
The vehicle moved quickly, but stopped briefly twice so that Leo could bless three babies.
Robert Prevost, a relative unknown on the world scenario that became Cardinal just two years ago, was elected Pope on May 8 after a short conclave that lasted just over 24 hours.
Francisco, an Argentine, died on April 21 after leading the church for 12 years often turbulent, during which he fought with traditionalists and defended the poor and marginalized.
US Vice President Jd Vance, a converted Catholic who conflicted with Francisco about the Trump government’s row-line policies, is leading a US delegation alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also a Catholic.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also attended, as well as at Francisco’s funeral, when he had conversations face to face with US President Donald Trump in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Zelensky last met Vance in February at the White House, when the two men fell fiercely in front of the world media.
Also attending the Vatican ceremony of the Presidents of Peru, Israel and Nigeria, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Many members of European royalty have occupied their seats in the VIP seats near the main altar, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.
FOCUS IN PEACE
In various sermons and comments since his election as a Pope, Leo praised Francis repeatedly, but did not give many clues about whether he will continue with the view of the late pontiff to open the church to the modern world.
Your Sunday homily will probably indicate some of the priorities for your papacy, having already made it clear in the last 10 days that he will seek peace whenever possible.
His first words in an appearance for the crowds in St. Peter’s Square on the night of his election were “Peace be with all of you,” echoing words that Catholics use in their celebrations.
In a speech on May 14 to employees of the Eastern Catholic Churches, many of which are based on global critical points such as Ukraine and the Middle East, the new Pope promised to make “every effort” for peace.
He also offered the Vatican as a mediator in global conflicts, saying that war “was never inevitable.”
Sunday Mass will feature prayers in several languages, in recognition of the global reach of the church of 1.4 billion members, including Latin, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Polish and Chinese.
As part of the ceremony, Leo will also formally receive two items when assuming the papacy: a liturgical garment known as Palio, a lamb wool strip that represents his role as a pastor, and a special ring known as the fisherman’s ring.
The ceremonial gold signet ring is merged especially for each new Pope and can be used by a lion to seal documents. He presents a drawing of St. Peter holding the keys of the sky and will be broken after his death, marking the end of his papacy.
