Pope Leo XIV begins pontificate in historic inaugural mass at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV officially began his papacy on Sunday during a grand inaugural Mass at St Peter’s Square, attended by over 200,000 faithful and global dignitaries.

Clad in striking white and gold papal vestments, the first American pope presided over the Mass while holding the staff of Pope John Paul II — a poignant tribute as the day also marked John Paul II’s birthday.

In a deeply symbolic moment, the Pope received two of the most significant emblems of the papal office: the Pallium and the Ring of the Fisherman.

Cardinal Mario Zenari placed the Pallium, a woolen vestment symbolising the Pope’s role as shepherd to the world, around his shoulders.

The garment, made from lamb’s wool, features two black pendants and six black crosses.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, followed shortly after, slipping the Ring of the Fisherman onto the Pope’s finger.

Overcome with emotion, the Pope paused, gazing at the ring before clasping his hands in what appeared to be a moment of prayer and reflection.

A heartwarming moment from the conclave also came to light, shedding insight into the friendship between Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, and Cardinal Tagle.

Recalling the tense hours as the final votes were being counted, Tagle said Prevost had started breathing heavily, sensing he might be elected.

“I always carry candy,” Tagle shared with a smile. “Cardinal Prevost was sitting next to me. When I heard him breathing heavily, I asked, ‘Do you want some candy?’ He said, ‘OK, please give me one.’ And I said, ‘That’s it — my first act of charity for the Holy Father.’”

In his first address as pope, Leo XIV humbly remarked that he had been “chosen without any merit of my own.”

The Mass drew an impressive list of attendees, including representatives from various faiths, 30 heads of state, and over 900 members of the clergy.

Among those present were Pope Leo’s elder brother Louis Prevost, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, French Prime Minister François Bayrou, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

To cap off the historic day, the new pontiff delighted crowds with his first popemobile ride around St Peter’s Square, waving to thousands of cheering well-wishers.