Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, made his first public appearance in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, riding through the crowds in a popemobile and greeting thousands of pilgrims ahead of his inauguration mass.Chicago native Robert Francis Prevost, elected on May 8 as the 267th pontiff, stood in the white vehicle smiling, waving, and blessing the crowd as it moved through the square. Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony is U.S. Vice President JD Vance, with the inauguration mass scheduled to begin at 10:00 am (0800 GMT).
Leo XIV will lead the ceremonial mass, during which he will receive the papal ring and deliver a homily expected to outline his vision for the papacy. A former missionary in Peru for over 20 years, the 69-year-old has used his first week in office to emphasize peace, social justice, and adherence to traditional Catholic values, including family structure and the rights of the unborn.
The pontiff’s inauguration has stirred excitement in the United States, with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio representing the country. Other global figures in attendance include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, along with European royalty.
Italian authorities have heightened security around the event, deploying snipers and anti-drone units. The inauguration will feature a visit to the tomb of Saint Peter beneath the basilica’s altar, followed by the presentation of the pallium and the fisherman’s ring — traditional symbols of papal authority. Large screens across the square will broadcast the event to the gathered faithful. Following the mass, Pope Leo XIV is expected to greet international delegations, though it remains uncertain if private audiences will be held.
Source : https://punchng.com/
