Leo XIV trembled with emotion, "with a heart full of gratitude," when he was bestowed with the pallium and the Fisherman's Ring accrediting him as the 267th Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The Pope made a call to "build a new world where peace reigns", in the presence of Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Vice President, JD Vance, and delegations from over 150 countries in attendance at what has already been dubbed "the Prevost era."
"I have been chosen without any merit, with fear and trembling, and I come before you as a servant of your faith and your joy, walking with you on the path of God's love," said the Pope in his homily before over 200,000 faithful, where he called for "a united Church in a reconciled world."
As the successor of Peter, the Pope expressed his desire to be "a shepherd to safeguard the rich heritage of the Christian faith and, at the same time, to look beyond and know how to face the questions, concerns, and challenges of today's world." Mentioning Saint Augustine several times, he made a call for unity, recalling Peter's original mission: "To fish humanity to save it from the waters of evil and death."
"It is never about trapping others through submission, religious propaganda, or power means, but it is always and only about loving as Jesus did," emphasized Leo XIV in the homily. The Pope also appealed to "coexistence and diversity," and criticized the economic system that "exploits the Earth's resources and marginalizes the poor."
"In our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudices, and fear of what is different," added the Pope. "And we want to be, within this mass, a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity. We want to tell the world, with humility and joy: 'Look at Christ! Approach Him!'
"This is the missionary spirit that must inspire us, without closing ourselves off in our small group, nor feeling superior to the world," emphasized the Pope. "We are called to offer God's love to all, so that the unity that does not erase differences but values each person's personal history, and the social and religious culture of each people, may be realized."
In a heartfelt final message, Leo XIV remembered "those suffering in wars" and called for "a just and lasting peace" in Urania. The Vatican announced that the Pope will meet with Zelensky this afternoon. Leo XIV expressly thanked the attendance of "thousands of pilgrims who came for the Jubilee" and stated that he felt during the ceremony "the spiritual presence of Pope Francis."
Over 150 delegations attended the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, with the presence of King Felipe and Queen Letizia, dressed in white, a "privilege" embraced by the Catholic queen. Princess Charlene of Monaco (accompanied by Albert), Queen Mathilde of Belgium, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg also wore white, while others chose black as a sign of respect for the Pope. Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, represented King Charles III on this occasion, who delegated Prince William at Francis' funeral. Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands were among the European countries represented at the highest level.
President Zelensky and his wife Olena wanted to be present at the ceremony, where French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were notably absent, in contrast to the gathering of leaders that turned Pope Francis' funeral three weeks ago into a high-level meeting. President Trump also excused his absence, but was represented by a second emissary, Catholic Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In the front row were Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
An hour before the ceremony, Leo XIV made his first appearance aboard the Popemobile, with an enthusiastic reception from the thousands of faithful crowding the square, chanting "Long live the Pope!" For half an hour, the Pope traversed the human river along Via della Conciliazione and even made a small gesture to bless a child lifted up to him.
The joyful members of the Royal and Franciscan Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Humility and Most Holy Mary of Peace, from Velez-Malaga, joined the massive Rosary procession preceding the mass under the Sunday sun of St. Peter's Square. Also present were representatives of the Sweet Name of Jesus Nazarene Brotherhood of Leon, who shouted the customary "Long live Leo!", in honor of the new Pope and his birthplace.
The Christ of El Cachorro from Seville and the Virgin of Hope from Malaga were among the images that paraded the day before in the Jubilee procession that gathered over 100,000 faithful in the streets of Rome, coinciding with the beginning of the new Papacy, dubbed the "Prevost era."
The "inaugural mass" of the Pope (previously known as the "enthronement ceremony") was marked by a series of rituals that will signify the start of the "Petrine ministry" and establish the Pope as the 267th successor of the Apostle Peter following the death of Pope Francis.
From the Vatican Grottoes, a solemn procession of the Pope and the cardinals began, singing the Laudes Regiae along the way. Two deacons carried the pallium and the Fisherman's Ring, the "Petrine" episcopal insignias that were bestowed upon him during the ceremony.
The white woolen pallium symbolizes the "good shepherd" and was placed on the Pontiff's shoulders, over the chasuble, by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti. The Fisherman's Ring, engraved with Peter holding the keys and nets, was placed on the Pope's ring finger on his right hand by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re.
The ring will be worn by the Pope until his death or resignation, at which point it will be removed, annulled, and destroyed by the Camerlengo to symbolize the end of the papacy (the valuable materials are recycled for the successor's ring).