US EditionPope Leo formally takes charge of Catholic Church with elaborate inaugural Mass
- On May 19, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, a 69-year-old priest from the Augustinian order and the first pontiff born in the United States, officially commenced his papacy with an inaugural Mass held in St. Peter’s Square.
- His election on May 8 followed a remarkably quick 24-hour conclave amid ongoing polarization in the Catholic Church and global turbulence including the Vatican's financial crisis.
- The ceremony, attended by roughly 200,000 people including numerous world leaders, religious figures, royalty, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, showcased traditional rituals, a popemobile procession, and important papal symbols such as the pallium and fisherman's ring.
- In his homily, Pope Leo called for unity amid discord, urging a church 'founded on God's love' that becomes 'a leaven for a reconciled world,' while praying for peace in Ukraine and Gaza.
- The event marked a historic moment for American Catholics and suggested a papacy focused on love, unity, and addressing contemporary challenges in the church and world.
308 Articles
308 Articles
Paddy Agnew in Rome: Peace tops the agenda for Pope Leo as he uses inaugural mass to highlight wars in Ukraine and Gaza
On a bright sunny day in the Vatican yesterday, Pope Leo XIV symbolically took full possession of the seat of Saint Peter as two potent symbols of his authority, the papal ring and the pallium (stole), were bestowed on him during a lavish inaugural mass on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica.
Leo's Brother Breaks With Protocol on Historic Day
Before some 200,000 people in St. Peter's Square—a crowd that included world leaders, clergy, and supporters from his hometown of Chicago—Pope Leo XIV began his reign Sunday with a promise to ensure the Catholic Church is a force for good in the world, including peace, in the...
Leo XIV Inaugurated as 267th Pope
Pope Leo XIV offered his inaugural Mass Sunday before a crowd of 200,000 people in St. Peter’s square. Leo, formerly Robert Cardinal Prevost, is the 267th pope and the first American leader of the Roman Catholic Church. During the homily of his inaugural mass, which many commentators analogize to an inauguration speech, the pope mentioned the geopolitical situations in Ukraine and in Gaza. Leo called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and…
Evening Standard
Pope Leo XIV gives first major address at inauguration attended by thousands
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the Duke of Edinburgh, who was representing the King, were among attendees.
Pope Leo XIV vows to work for unity as he is inaugurated at the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, vowed Sunday to work for unity so that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world, offering a message of communion during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 150,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes.Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy’…
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