Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, is set to lead his inaugural mass this Sunday, as announced by the Vatican. This significant event, known as the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, will take place in Vatican City starting at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), according to the Vatican Press Office.
Prior to the commencement of the mass, Pope Leo XIV will greet the tens of thousands of attendees expected to gather in the crowds, as confirmed by various officials. The mass will be held in the iconic St. Peter's Basilica, beginning at the sacred tomb of St. Peter, an important location for the Roman Catholic faith.
During this momentous occasion, the Petrine Pallium and the Fisherman's Ring will be ceremoniously presented to Pope Leo XIV. The Pallium, which is a narrow Y-shaped band woven in white and adorned with two black pendants, six black crosses, and three pins representing the crucifixion of Christ, symbolizes the pontiff's responsibility to shepherd the church.
On the other hand, the Fisherman's Ring, a gold signet ring, signifies the new pope's role as the successor to St. Peter, who is recognized as the first leader of the church. This ring marks the beginning and end of a pope's authority, with the previous pope’s ring, that of Francis, being ceremonially broken after his passing. It is customary for Catholics to kiss the ring when meeting the pope, demonstrating their respect for the pontiff and devotion to the church.
Following the symbolic presentations, Pope Leo XIV will deliver a homily, after which he will lead a prayer known as the Regina Caeli. The entire event is anticipated to last for approximately two hours, according to Vatican officials.
After the Regina Caeli, Pope Leo XIV is expected to greet various delegations and distinguished guests in attendance. Among those expected to be present are Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected as the 267th pontiff on May 8, 2023. The Chicago native succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. In the lead-up to the conclave, Leo emerged as a frontrunner for the papacy, as noted by Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor for ABC News. He was the only U.S. cardinal on a short list of potential candidates for pope, commonly referred to as papabiles, compiled by The Associated Press in the wake of Francis' death.
This upcoming inaugural mass marks a historic moment not only for Pope Leo XIV but also for the wider Catholic community, as they witness the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of the Church.
