Pope Leo XIV’s Inaugural Mass Attracts 1000’s to St. Peter’s Sq.
Vatican Metropolis, Might 18, 2025 – Pope Leo XIV, the primary American pontiff within the historical past of the Roman Catholic Church, will lead his inaugural Mass as we speak, Sunday, Might 18, at 10 a.m. Rome time (4 a.m. ET) in St. Peter’s Sq., marking the formal begin of his Petrine Ministry. The Vatican Press Workplace introduced that tens of 1000’s are anticipated to collect for the historic occasion, with estimates suggesting as much as 250,000 attendees, much like the gang at Pope Francis’ 2013 inauguration.
The Mass, formally titled the “Mass for the Starting of the Preach,” will start with Pope Leo XIV visiting the tomb of St. Peter beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, adopted by a procession to the sq. accompanied by the traditional “Laudes Regiae” chant, invoking Christ and the saints. Through the liturgy, the brand new pope will obtain the Fisherman’s Ring, a gold-engraved image of his apostolic mission, and the Petrine Pallium, a white woolen band adorned with black crosses, signifying his position because the shepherd of the Church.
Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on Might 8, 2025, because the 267th pontiff, succeeding Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The Chicago-born Augustinian, aged 69, has emphasised peace and inclusivity, echoing his predecessor’s name for a Church that welcomes “tutti, tutti, tutti” (everybody). His first homily within the Sistine Chapel on Might 9 highlighted the challenges of preaching the Gospel in a world typically hostile to religion, urging Catholics to function a “beacon of sunshine.”
The occasion will draw world leaders, together with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, Britain’s Prince Edward, Argentine President Javier Milei, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rome police have deployed over 5,000 officers, with snipers, anti-drone methods, and helicopters to make sure safety.
Following the Mass, Pope Leo XIV will ship a homily and lead the Regina Caeli prayer, then greet delegations. His schedule consists of taking possession of the Basilica of St. Paul Outdoors the Partitions on Might 20 and the Basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Mary Main on Might 25, reinforcing his position as Bishop of Rome.
Social media displays pleasure and curiosity, with posts on X noting the importance of an American pope and his multicultural background, given his Peruvian-American heritage and lengthy service in Peru. One consumer remarked, “First American Pope Leo XIV’s Mass as we speak is a historic second for 1.4 billion Catholics!” The Vatican has urged attendees to reach early, with St. Peter’s Sq. anticipated to succeed in its 300,000-person capability.
