Pope Leo XIV will formally assume leadership of the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday with a grand inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of worshippers, dignitaries, and royalty from across the world. The 69-year-old pontiff, originally from Chicago and also a citizen of Peru, is the first American and first Peruvian pope in history.
The Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) and marks the first time Pope Leo will ride through the crowds in the iconic white popemobile. Vatican officials have confirmed that security is tight and preparations are in place for one of the largest gatherings at the Holy See since the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 after serving the Church for 12 years.
World leaders, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, are expected to attend. European royals such as King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain will also be present. This diverse attendance reflects the global reach of the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8 after a short conclave that lasted just 24 hours. Although relatively unknown before his election, he has already emphasized peace in his early statements. His first public words after becoming pope were “Peace be with you all,” setting a tone for what many expect to be a peace-focused papacy.
During Sunday’s homily, Pope Leo is likely to share more about his vision for the Church. He has expressed admiration for his predecessor Pope Francis but has not yet revealed whether he will continue all of Francis’s reforms. However, he has made it clear he wants the Vatican to play a greater role in promoting peace worldwide.
The ceremony will include traditional elements such as the presentation of the pallium and the fisherman’s ring — symbols of papal authority. Prayers will be offered in multiple languages, including Latin, Arabic, French, and Chinese, celebrating the Church’s diverse and global identity.