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Papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

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Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV
St. Peter's Square during the liturgy
Native name Celebrazione Eucaristica per l'Inizio del Ministero del Vescovo di Roma
English nameEucharistic Celebration for the Beginning of the Ministry of the Bishop of Rome
Date18 May 2025 (2025-05-18)
Time10 a.m. (CEST, UTC+02:00)
VenueSt. Peter's Square
LocationVatican City
TypePapal inauguration
Participants200,000

On 18 May 2025, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the inauguration Mass of his pontificate, formally known as the Mass for the Beginning of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome.[1] The event was attended by some 200,000 people, including dozens of world leaders and 150 formal delegations.[2] While Leo became the Roman pontiff at the moment of his acceptance in the Sistine Chapel upon being elected in the 2025 papal conclave, the inauguration celebration marked the formal beginning of his ministry as the bishop of Rome.[1] The Mass included the bestowal of the pallium and Ring of the Fisherman, and was followed by meetings with various delegations and world leaders.

Ceremony

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Pope Leo XIV in the popemobile prior to the ceremony
Coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV

Prior to the ceremony, Leo toured St. Peter's Square in the popemobile for the first time, where attendees shouted Viva il Papa! (Long live the Pope),[1] "USA, USA!"[3] with at least one person chanting "White Sox!"[4], referencing his native land (born Robert Prevost from Chicago, Illinois) and favorite baseball team. The liturgy formally began at 10 a.m. at Saint Peter's tomb underneath the baldachin of the high altar of St. Peter's basilica. Surrounded by the patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Leo incensed the tomb while the choir sang Tu es Petrus. Ascending from the grottoes, Leo was joined in procession to the square by two deacons holding the Ring of the Fisherman and the papal pallium, as well as cardinals and bishops. The traditional Laudes Regiae chant was sung during the procession. Leo then conducted the asperges rite, typical on Sundays of the Easter Season.[1]

Pope Leo XIV in front of the altar

The first reading from Acts 4:8-12 was proclaimed in Spanish, referencing Leo's work in the Diocese of Chiclayo. Psalm 118 was sung in Italian, for his new diocese; the second reading from 1 Peter 5:1-5, 10-11 was proclaimed in English by a faculty member from the Pontifical North American College, referencing his country of birth. The Gospel, John 21:15-19 was chanted in Latin by a deacon from Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, Indiana, then subsequently chanted in Greek.[1][5]

Cardinal Mario Zenari, representing the cardinal deacons, imposed the pallium on Leo's shoulders. Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, representing cardinal priests, conferred a prayer of blessing on the pope. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, representing cardinal bishops, then bestowed the Ring of the Fisherman upon the pontiff.[1] Leo appeared visibly moved by the moment.[1][4] Following the bestowal of papal insignia, twelve delegates representing the Catholic Church from around the world, including clerics, vowed religious, a married couple, and young adults, were received by Leo. The homily delivered by Leo followed, where he spoke in Italian.[1]

The prayers of the faithful were delivered in Arabic, Chinese, French, Polish, and Portuguese. Tu es pastor ovium was chanted during the offertory. Leo prayed the Roman Canon.[1]

Before the conclusion of Mass, Leo offered some brief remarks, especially offering prayers for the conflicts in Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine. The Regina Caeli was sung, followed by the final blessing.[1]

Some 30 heads of state, 200 cardinals, and 750 bishops and priests were present.[6] Throughout the ceremony, Leo used the papal ferula commonly used by Pope John Paul II.[7]

Formalities

[edit]

Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg exercised the privilège du blanc extended to Catholic royalty by wearing white to the ceremony.[8][9]

Homily

[edit]

Leo began his sermon by thanking those who were present, and remembering the emotions of the previous weeks following the death of Pope Francis and subsequent conclave. With "fear and trembling", Leo said, he would approach the Church as a brother and servant, recalling the two-fold aspects of ministry entrusted to Saint Peter: love and unity.[10] Leo expressed a desire for unity and communion in the Church and in the world.[4] He condemned exploitation of Earth's resources and marginalization of the poor.[10] He referenced his papal motto, "in the one Christ, we are one", and exclaimed "Look to Christ! Come closer to him!"[10][1]

Subsequent activities

[edit]

After the ceremony, Leo entered St. Peter's and met with 150 delegations in front of the St. Peter's baldachin.[1] Among the delegations was his brother Louis, whom he embraced.[2] After his inauguration, Leo met with Peruvian president Dina Boluarte[11] and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[12]

On Monday, 19 May, Leo met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vance appeared to give Leo a Chicago Bears jersey with the name "Pope Leo" and number "XIV".[13] He also met with Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia;[14] Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew;[15] and Gerardo Werthein, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Argentina; and representatives of other churches, ecclesiastical communities, and religions.[16]

Leo then took possession of the other major basilicas in the days following the inauguration, with ceremonies held at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on 20 May, and at the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on 25 May, formally installing him as the Bishop of Rome.[17][18]

Official delegations

[edit]

States

[edit]
Austrian foreign minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (center)
Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia, and Leo
US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Vice president JD Vance
Country Official delegation Ref.
Albania President Bajram Begaj [19]
Andorra Co-Prince Archbishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicília, Representative of the French Co-Prince Patrice Faure, Prime Minister Xavier Espot and General Syndic Carles Ensenyat [20]
Antigua and Barbuda Governor–General Rodney Williams [21]
Argentina Minister of Foreign Relations Gerardo Werthein [22]
Armenia President Vahagn Khachaturyan [19]
Azerbaijan Speaker of the National Assembly Sahiba Gafarova [23]
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese [24]
Austria Chancellor Christian Stocker, Minister of Foreign Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger [25]
Bahamas Ambassador Joseph Curry [21]
Belarus Speaker of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeenko [23]
Belgium King Philippe of the Belgians and Queen Mathilde, Prime Minister Bart De Wever [26][27]
Bolivia Ambassador Teresa Susana Subieta Serrano [21]
Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto [28]
Brazil Vice president Geraldo Alckmin [29]
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney [4]
Colombia President Gustavo Petro [30]
Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman, Speaker of the Parliament Gordan Jandroković [31]
Ecuador President Daniel Noboa [19]
France Prime Minister François Bayrou [27]
Gabon President Brice Oligui Nguema [19]
Germany Chancellor Friedrich Merz [32]
Georgia President Mikheil Kavelashvili [19]
Hungary President Tamás Sulyok [33]
Ireland President Michael D. Higgins [34]
Israel President Isaac Herzog [27]
Italy President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and President of the Constitutional Court Giovanni Amoroso [27][35]
Japan Former prime minister Taro Aso [36]
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani [23]
Latvia Prime Minister Evika Siliņa [19]
Lebanon President Joseph Aoun [27]
Liechtenstein Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie, Prime Minister Brigitte Haas [37]
Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda [27]
Luxembourg Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Prime Minister Luc Frieden [38][19]
Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela [19]
Monaco Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene [26]
Morocco Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch [19]
Montenegro Prime Minister Milojko Spajić [23]
Mozambique Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Levy [19]
Netherlands Queen Maxima and Prime Minister Dick Schoof [27]
Nigeria President Bola Tinubu [27]
Paraguay President Santiago Peña and President of the Chamber of Deputies Raúl Latorre [39]
Peru President Dina Boluarte [24]
Poland President Andrzej Duda [19]
Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa [27]
Russia Ambassador to the Vatican Ivan Soltanovsky [40]
San Marino Captains Regent Denise Bronzetti and Italo Righi [41]
Saudi Arabia Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir and Prince Faisal bin Sattam Al Saud [42]
Serbia Prime Minister Đuro Macut [23]
Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini [19]
Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob [43]
Spain King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Deputy Prime Ministers María Jesús Montero and Yolanda Díaz, Minister of the Presidency and Justice Félix Bolaños and Leader of the Opposition Alberto Núñez Feijóo [26][44]
Sweden Crown Princess Victoria, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed and Archbishop of Uppsala Martin Modéus [45]
Switzerland President Karin Keller-Sutter [46]
Taiwan (Republic of China) Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen [47]
Togo President Faure Gnassingbé [19]
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [2]
United Kingdom Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (representing the King of the United Kingdom and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England), Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner [24]
United States of America Vice president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio [2]
Uzbekistan Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Nuriddinjon Ismailov [48]

Other entities

[edit]
Subject of International Law Official delegation Ref.
European Commission Ursula von der Leyen [24]
Sovereign Military Order of Malta Prince and Grand Master John T. Dunlap [49]
United Nations Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Religious figures

[edit]

Christian communities

[edit]
Community Official delegation Ref.
Apostolic Churches
Armenian Apostolic Church Bishop Koryoun Baghdasaryan [50]
Coptic Orthodox Church Bishop Barnaba of Turin and Rome, Bishop Damian of Northern Germany, Bishop Marc of Paris and Northern France, and Bishop Kyrillos of Los Angeles [51]
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople [52]
Protestant communities
Anglican Church Leonard Dawea, Stephen Cottrell, Sean Rowe and others [32]
Lutheran World Federation Anne Burghardt [52][53]
World Council of Churches Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and Jerry Pillay [54]
World Communion of Reformed Churches [52]
World Methodist Council Debra Padgett Wallace and Joshua Rathnam [55][56]
Non-Nicaean communities
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Elder Matthew S. Holland [57]

Other religions

[edit]

Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian and Jainist leaders were present.[58]

Community Official delegation Ref.
Judaism Rabbi Noam Marans, Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee [59]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Coppen, Luke; Flynn, JD (18 May 2025). "Leo XIV at inauguration Mass: 'Look to Christ!'". The Pillar. Archived from the original on 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Bigg, Matthew Mpoke; Povoledo, Elisabetta (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass Draws World Leaders and Catholic Faithful". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  3. ^ O'Connell, Gerard (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo XIV at inaugural Mass: 'This is the hour for love'". America Magazine. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Anderson, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Zac (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo takes charge of Catholic Church with Vice President Vance looking on". USA TODAY. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  5. ^ Campisi, Tiziana (16 May 2025). "The rite for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Leo XIV". Vatican News. Holy See. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  6. ^ Barone, Camillo; White, Christopher (18 May 2025). "World leaders hear Pope Leo XIV condemn marginalization of the poor". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  7. ^ Livingstone, Tess (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo's nod to John Paul II". Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  8. ^ Henni, Janine (19 May 2025). "Did Princess Charlene and Queen Letizia Break Style Protocol by Wearing White at Pope Leo's Inaugural Mass?". People.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  9. ^ Gardiner, Cerith (19 May 2025). "The queens who used the "privilege of white" at pope's Mass". Aleteia. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "Pope Leo XIV at Inauguration Mass: 'Let us walk towards God and love one another'". Vatican News. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  11. ^ Catacora, Por Mariana Quilca (20 May 2025). "¿Cuánto duró la reunión con el papa León XIV? Dina Boluarte y su canciller dan versiones distintas sobre el encuentro". infobae (in European Spanish).
  12. ^ Mpoke Bigg, Matthew (18 May 2025). "Zelensky Meets With Pope Leo After Inaugural Mass". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  13. ^ Hudson, John; Faiola, Anthony; Boorstein, Michelle (19 May 2025). "Vance and Rubio meet with pope in push to reset relations with Vatican". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  14. ^ "Pope Leo XIV meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro". www.vaticannews.va. 19 May 2025. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  15. ^ Mindala, John (19 May 2025). "Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV Meet in Rome, Plan Nicaea Meeting in November". Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Audiences". Holy See Press Office. 19 May 2025. Archived from the original on 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Pope Leo XIV declares 'I am Roman!' as he completes formalities to become bishop of Rome". AP News. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  18. ^ Pronechen, Joseph (16 May 2025). "John Paul II's Birthday, Leo XIV's Inauguration: A Papal Coincidence". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Lista De Personalidades Esperadas En La Entronización Del Nuevo Papa León XIV (in Spanish)
  20. ^ "El cap de Govern assisteix a la missa d'inici del Pontificat de Lleó XIV". Govern d'Andorra. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  21. ^ a b c World leaders, delegates set to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass
  22. ^ El papa León XIV recibió a Werthein y a Pettovello: ¿cuándo será la reunión con Milei? (in Spanish)
  23. ^ a b c d e Millare, Kristina (17 May 2025). "World leaders, delegates set to attend Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  24. ^ a b c d Gariano, Francesca; Wood, Becca (18 May 2025). "JD Vance, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and 200,000 faithful attend Pope Leo's inaugural mass". TODAY.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Neuer Papst will "einen gerechten Frieden"" (in German). Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  26. ^ a b c Allaire, Christian (18 May 2025). "At Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Mass, Politicians and Royals Chose Looks Rooted in Tradition". Vogue. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i Zhuang, Yan (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo's Inaugural Mass Draws Global Leaders Including Zelensky, Vance and Carney". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Predsjedateljica Vijeća ministara BiH Borjana Krišto na inauguraciji pape Lava XIV". Federalna novinska agencija (in Croatian). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  29. ^ Peduzzi, Pedro (18 May 2025). "Alckmin entrega ao Papa convite para visitar o Brasil durante a COP30". Agência Brasil (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  30. ^ "Petro tuvo breve saludo con el papa, y mañana se reunirán en privado". La Silla Vacía (in Spanish). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Hrvatski narod čvrsto stoji uz papu Lava XIV. da svojim poslanjem pridonese miru i socijalnoj pravdi diljem svijeta". Vlada Republike Hrvatske (in Croatian). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Anglicans attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV". ACNS. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  33. ^ Leitner, Attila (20 May 2025). "President Sulyok invites Pope Leo XIV to Hungary". The Budapest Times. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  34. ^ "Diary President And Sabina Attend The Inauguration Of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV". Office of the President of Ireland. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  35. ^ Bonanata, Antonio (16 May 2025). "Al via l'era di Leone XIV: Messa d'inizio Pontificato con consegna di pallio e anello del pescatore". RaiNews (in Italian). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Attendance of Ambassador on Special Mission ASO to the Solemn Ceremony of the Inauguration of the Pontificate for His Holiness Pope Leo XIV". mofa.go.jp. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Amtseinführung von Papst Leo XIV. im Beisein unseres Erbprinzenpaares und Regierungschefin Haas" (in German). Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  38. ^ "All the royals who attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, from Prince Edward to Princess Charlene of Monaco". La Silla Vacía (in Spanish). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  39. ^ "El presidente Santiago Peña participó de la entronización del Papa León XIV en el Vaticano :". Presidencia de la República del Paraguay (in Spanish). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  40. ^ "The Russian Ambassador to the Vatican led the Russian delegation at the enthronement of Leo XIV". en.iz.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  41. ^ Barducci, Giacomo (18 May 2025). "Messa di inizio pontificato di Papa Leone XIV, presenti anche i Capitani Reggenti". San Marino Rtv (in Italian). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  42. ^ Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass
  43. ^ "Papež Leon XIV. z umestitveno mašo začel svoj pontifikat". Siol.net (in Italian). 18 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  44. ^ Press, Europa (18 May 2025). "Los Reyes encabezan la delegación española en la misa de inicio del pontificado del Papa León XIV". www.europapress.es (in Spanish). Europa Press Society. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  45. ^ "Kronprinsessan vid Påvens installationsmässa". www.kungahuset.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  46. ^ "Le pape Léon XIV inaugure son pontificat par une messe précédée d'un premier bain de foule". rts.ch (in French). Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Taiwan envoy attends Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass, hopes for papal visit". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  48. ^ "Ўзбекистон Қонунчилик палатаси спикери Рим папаси Лео XIV инаугурациясида қатнашди". gazeta.uz (in Uzbek). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  49. ^ "Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV". Sovereign Order of Malta. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  50. ^ "Jerusalem Patriarchate Delegation Attends Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican". Facebook. Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  51. ^ "The Coptic Delegation Meets H.H. Pope Leo XIV, the New Pope of the Vatican - Coptic Orthodox Church". 19 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  52. ^ a b c McLellan, Justin (18 May 2025). "At inauguration Mass, Pope Leo calls for 'united Church' in a wounded world". St. Louis Review. Catholic News Service. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  53. ^ "LWF welcomes Pope Leo's focus on unity and service | The Lutheran World Federation". Lutheran World Federation. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  54. ^ "As Pope Leo XIV is inaugurated, WCC celebrates unity of humanity | World Council of Churches". World Council of Churches. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  55. ^ McClellan, Justin (18 May 2025). "Pope Leo begins papacy calling for 'united church' in a wounded world". USCCB. Catholic News Service. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  56. ^ "World Methodist Council". World Methodist Council. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  57. ^ "The First Presidency Offers a Message of Goodwill to Pope Leo XIV". Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  58. ^ "Pope Leo XIV at Inauguration Mass: 'Let us walk towards God and love one another' - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va. 18 May 2025. Archived from the original on 18 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  59. ^ Dell'orto, Giovanna (19 May 2025). "At Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass and beyond, Jewish leaders show hope in Jewish-Catholic relations". AP News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2025. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
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