Pope Leo XIV assumes office as head of the Roman Catholic Church
Kyiv • UNN
Pope Leo XIV officially became the head of the church. Guests and believers gathered in St. Peter's Square to attend the solemn mass and congratulate the new pontiff.
Before the inauguration ceremony, Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful, driving between sectors in the popemobile.
Reports UNN with reference to Ansa and tg24.
Details
Today, Pope Leo XIV officially takes office. The Pontiff will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome, where state guests and many believers have already gathered. Leo XIV receives the papal regalia today, including the Fisherman's Ring and the pallium - a white woolen cape embroidered with red crosses.
Reference
Rome is preparing to welcome 156 delegations from all over the world and more than 250,000 faithful, who are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square.
The Pope greets the faithful in the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica
This morning, before the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful, driving in the popemobile between sectors in St. Peter's Square.
He greets and blesses thousands of people gathered in the sectors and along the barriers. "Long live the Pope" was heard several times, joyful shouts and applause from the crowd greeted Leo XIV. Believers are looking for the best place to see Prevost as close as possible, reports tg24.
The Pope also travels around the faithful on Viale della Conciliazione. You can see many posters and flags from all over the world.
State guests from all over the world
Among the people expected to be present are US Vice President Jay Dee Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President Jay Dee Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In the first row of the Italian delegation will be President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Next to them will be the Peruvian delegation - headed by the President of the Republic, Ersilia Boluarte Segarra - and the US delegation - with Vice President James D. Vance and Secretary of State Antonio Rubio - two countries of which Robert Francis Prevost is a citizen.
Addition
More than four thousand concelebrants are present at the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo. On the parvis - 200 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests. Another three thousand concelebrating priests are in the first sector of the square on the left, looking at the basilica; also in St. Peter's Square are 400 deacons and concelebrating priests who will distribute communion.
Among the delegations in St. Peter's Square there are also Muslims and Buddhists. Among the delegations in St. Peter's Square there are also representatives of other religions. There are members of the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Zoroastrian communities. Also in the square are representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Pentecostal communities.
Let us remind
UNN reported that the President of Ukraine will take part in the solemn ceremony in the Vatican. The presence of many world leaders and about 250 thousand pilgrims is expected.
US Vice President Jay Dee Vance will visit the Vatican for the second time in a few months.
