Rome
CNN
–
American Pope Leo XIV will formally inaugurate on Sunday, Sunday of the 267th Bible Sunday, during a special mass at St. Peter’s Square, attended by world leaders, royals and thousands of followers.
The May 18th service is rich in symbolism and includes a formal award to Leo, the office’s iconic, including pallium. It symbolizes the lamb wool vest, symbolizing its pastoral care and role as shepherds for the church, and the fisherman’s ring.
Those expected to attend Sunday’s two-hour liturgy include US Vice President J.D. V. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky, and Peruvian President Dina Boralte. Countries around the world are represented, and the Vatican hosts representatives of over 150 countries.
The 69-year-old Chicago-born Pope is expected to greet delegates from various countries after taking office on Sunday, a Vatican spokesman said.
Leo was elected Pope on May 8, but his official Holy See begins on May 18th, with his first general audience scheduled for May 21st.
At his first mass as Pope on May 9th, Leo called on the clergy to show humility, repeatedly appealing to peace, explaining his choice of name. Later in the week, he used his first Vatican speech since the election to seek peace in Ukraine and Gaza, saying, “Never again war!”
The first American Pope, an avid tennis player, also met Jannik Sinner, the number one species of tennis for journalists and men.
On Sunday morning, Pope Leo uses Popemobile for the first time, greets people in St. Peter’s Square before heading to Mass inside the Cathedral.
He comes down to pray at St. Peter’s tomb, so Eastern Orthodox leaders will be joined for the first part of the service. The Pallium, Ring and Gospel books are then photographed by two members of the clergy facing the altar in the square.
The Bible reading at Mass focuses heavily on the image of St. Peter and the central passage from the Gospel of John, considered the basis of the Pope’s ministry as the successor to St. Peter.
Following this reading, the three cardinals present the Pope with the symbols of the office.
Cardinal Dominique Manberti, who announced the news that Leo had been elected, will place Pallium on the new Pope. Cardinal Fridrin Ambongo Beshun of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will say special prayers. Cardinal of the Philippines, Lewis Antonio Tagle presents Leo with the “Ring of the Fisherman.”
The Vatican has released details of the ring. The ring features an image of St. Peter, with “Leo xiv” and the Pope’s coat of arms engraved inside.
All bishops wear rings to show their bond to the local church they lead, and the Pope’s circle as Bishop of Rome symbolizes his “engagement” to the whole church.
After receiving the office symbol, representatives of ordinary Catholics around the world show “obedient” to the Pope that it was done in the past by the Cardinals. The decision to include it in this part of the worship service as a non-card indicates the Pope’s commitment to the Church to deepen the involvement of Catholics who are not part of the hierarchy. The inclusion of ordinary Catholics in the ceremony is also a nod to Leo’s intention to continue the reforms that his predecessor, Pope Francis, began.
During Mass, Pope Leo also gives Homily, who is likely to have set some of his Pope’s important themes.
After the Mass is over, the Pope leads the prayers of Regina Caeri, or “Queen of Heaven,” before meeting the international delegation within the cathedral.
The Pope’s inauguration has changed over the years. For centuries, it also involved the “coral coronation”, which included placing the Pope tiara on the head of the new Pope. The last Pope’s “cor coronation” belonged to Paul VI in 1963. However, he decided to sell his tiara and give the proceeds to charity. American Catholics purchased the tiara currently on display at the cathedral of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Concept in Washington, DC.
