Tens of thousands of faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square on Sunday for the installation of Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pontiff, blending centuries-old rituals with modern elements as the 69-year-old Augustinian missionary formally took the helm of the Catholic Church.
As dawn broke, civil protection crews guided pilgrims into the massive square, while priests and patriarchs hurried into St. Peter's Basilica to prepare for the solemn Mass. US Vice President JD Vance, leading the American delegation, visited the tomb of Pope Francis, the Argentine pontiff who passed away recently, before taking his seat.
Pope Leo, elected on May 8 after a swift 24-hour conclave, began the day with his first popemobile tour, a symbolic gesture that has come to represent the pope’s global reach and connection with the faithful. The vehicle, an open-topped car that allows the pope to be seen and cheered by crowds, was last used by Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, just before his passing.
Leo’s ascent marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church, especially for the American faithful.
“Rome always felt like home for a Catholic, but now coming here and seeing one of our own on the throne of Peter... it almost makes Jesus himself more accessible,” said Ethan Menning, a 21-year-old seminarian from Omaha, Nebraska, draped in an American flag.
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The installation Mass itself is steeped in symbolism. Before stepping out to greet the throngs in the square, Leo prayed at the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope, beneath the basilica’s main altar.
He then emerged to receive the two potent symbols of his new office – the lambswool stole known as the pallium, representing his role as the shepherd of the Church, and the fisherman’s ring, symbolising the call of Christ to Peter to cast his nets for men.
Unlike earlier times, when all cardinals would vow personal obedience to the new pope, recent installations have included representatives from various segments of the Church – bishops, priests, deacons, nuns, married couples, and youth – pledging their allegiance, reflecting the diverse nature of the modern Catholic Church.
Leo, who holds dual citizenship of the United States and Peru, is known for his missionary zeal and academic background. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among the world leaders present, underlining the global significance of the event.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also present, has used his visit to Rome to push for progress in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine peace talks. In a symbolic gesture of unity, both the American and Peruvian delegations were seated in the front row, a nod to the new pope’s shared heritage.
In his early addresses, Pope Leo has signalled a desire to address the world’s pressing challenges, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to the ethical dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence – a parallel he draws with the industrial revolution that defined the papacy of his namesake, Pope Leo XIII.
Security was tight, with Italian authorities preparing for a crowd of up to 250,000, the same number estimated at the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26. Giant television screens and dozens of portable toilets were set up around the square to accommodate the massive influx of pilgrims.
As the new pontiff sets out to shape his legacy, the world watches closely for the tone and direction he will set for the 1.4-billion-strong Church.
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