Pope Leo XIV’s historic inauguration draws global attention

Reuters

Pope Leo XIV will be formally inaugurated on Sunday as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, marking a historic moment for the Church.

Pope Leo XIV will officially assume his role as the leader of the Catholic Church on Sunday during a ceremonial Mass at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The event will feature his inaugural ride in the iconic popemobile and draw tens of thousands of attendees, including world leaders, European royalty, and other dignitaries.

At 69 years old, Pope Leo holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru, where he served as a missionary for many years. He was elected pope on May 8 after a brief conclave and succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 after a 12-year papacy.

High-profile attendees include U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and leaders from Peru, Israel, Nigeria, and other nations. European royals, such as Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, will also be present.

Pope Leo has emphasized a strong focus on peace since his election, pledging the Vatican's readiness to mediate conflicts and asserting that war is never inevitable. His homily is expected to outline the priorities of his papacy, building on his earlier commitment to fostering global unity.

The ceremony will incorporate prayers in multiple languages, reflecting the Church’s diverse following. Key elements include the pope’s receipt of the pallium, symbolizing his role as shepherd, and the fisherman’s ring, which will signify the authority of his papacy.

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