Pope Leo XIV Takes His First Popemobile Ride Through St. Peter's Square Ahead of Installation
- On May 18, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy, pledged to promote unity and peace as he delivered his message at his installation ceremony held in St. Peter’s Square.
- Leo's election on May 8 followed a 24-hour conclave and came amid polarization within the Catholic Church in the U.S. and globally.
- An estimated 150,000 people, including pilgrims, presidents, and princes, gathered for the Mass where Leo emphasized love, unity, and a church as a peace force.
- Leo prayed for a 'just and lasting peace' in Ukraine and those in Gaza, saying the people there are 'reduced to hunger,' though he omitted mention of Hamas hostages.
- Leo’s call for unity signals a papacy grounded in traditional doctrine that may heal divisions, as many Americans and conservative Catholics express strong support.
289 Articles
289 Articles
The Popecast - First Things
The editors discuss the first days of the pontificate of Leo XIV, the first American pope. Then, a report on the pope’s brothers. Rusty Reno, editor Dan Hitchens, and Virginia Aabram join Julia Yost. The conversation is embedded below. For your long-term convenience, follow us on SoundCloud or subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Image via AP/Andrew Medichini The post The Popecast appeared first on First Things.

From portable throne to electric vehicle: Evolution of papal transportation
Pope Leo XIV greets crowds in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile on Sunday, May 18, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA ACI Prensa Staff, May 19, 2025 / 12:03 pm (CNA). From a portable throne carried on the shoulders of attendants to state-of... [...]
Pope Leo XIV takes first ride in popemobile, offers message of healing at inaugural Mass
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV vowed Sunday to work for unity in a polarized Catholic Church and world, as history’s first American pope offered a message of healing during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 200,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes.
Pope Leo XIV greets thousands in first popemobile ride on morning of inaugural Mass
VATICAN CITY // An hour ahead of his inaugural Mass May 18, Pope Leo XIV took his first journey in the open-air popemobile through St. Peter’s… The post Pope Leo XIV greets thousands in first popemobile ride on morning of inaugural Mass appeared first on CatholicVote org.
(Vatican=Yonhap News) Correspondent Shin Chang-yong = The new Pope Leo XIV rides the white papal ceremonial vehicle, the 'popemobile', to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 51% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium