Pope Leo XIV was well received by a sea of faithful as he crossed the Via della Conciliaione aboard the Paparmobile, under the sound of applause and songs of “Long live the Pope!”Just before the inaugural mass that marked the beginning of his papacy. San Pedro Square full of international delegations and religious leaders around the world.
The guests were the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the American vice president JD Vance and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. There was also a strong clerical presence, with approximately 700 bishops and priests, more than 2,000 members of the clergy and hundreds of deacons. 38 Ecumenical Delegations were present, including representatives of the Patriarchy of Constantinople and the Greek Orthodox patriarchy of Alexandria.
Pope Lion was visibly excited to receive the pallium and the ring of the fishermen, two of the most significant symbols that mark the beginning of a pontificate. The latter represents the link between Christ and the Church, of which the Pope is a shepherd and model.
He then paid the homily, in which he paid tribute to Pope Francis, saying that “his death filled our hearts of sadness.” Reflecting on the conclave that chose him as Peter’s successor, he observed how he answered the questions and challenges of the modern era.
“Brothers and sisters, I would like our first great desire to be a united church, a sign of unity and communion, to become yeast for a reconciled world,” he said in Italian.
The Pope’s words, given to the world’s political leaders, reaffirmed the role he predicts for the Vatican: a space for dialogue and mediation. The Holy See has confirmed that the Pope will have a private meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Sunday afternoon.
