What we know
- Pope Leo XIV is presided over his inaugural Mass today in front of St Peter’s Basilica, marking the formal start of his papacy.
- In his homily, Leo urged rejection of hatred and division, and disavowed "an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest."
- Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were in attendance, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- The ceremony began at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), and lasted for over 2 hours. It included the Mass and the papal rituals bestowing the Fisheman's Ring, the imposition of the pallium and an homage by the cardinals.
- The Vatican estimated an audience of 200,000 people in and around St. Peter's Square, including over 150 international delegations, headed by monarchs, presidents and prime ministers.
JD Vance’s Vatican visits center his Catholicism in his vice presidency
After leaving the Marines and beginning his higher education, Vice President JD Vance drifted into atheism — struggling, he would eventually write, with feelings of “irrelevance” in his faith and with “a desire for social acceptance among American elites.”
Vance, who later converted to Catholicism, this weekend made his second trip to the Vatican in less than a month. On the first visit, Vance met with Pope Francis on Easter, hours before he died. On Sunday, Vance led a U.S. delegation at the inaugural Mass of the first U.S.-born pope, Leo XIV.
Both pontiffs — Francis during his papacy, Leo in his prior service as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost — offered veiled but easily decipherable rebukes of President Donald Trump and Vance’s “America first” worldview.
Vance, somewhat uncharacteristically for someone who so relishes debate, has chosen to politely sidestep criticism. But the circumstances of the last few weeks have put an unexpected spotlight on his religion, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s highest-ranking Catholics in political office.
Zelenskyy has ‘good meeting’ with VP Vance and Rubio
President Zelenksyy said he had a "good meeting" with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio after Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass.
"We discussed the talks in Istanbul, where the Russians sent a low-level delegation that had no decision-making authority," he posted on Telegram. "I reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for real diplomacy and emphasized the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible."
Zelenskyy said the group also discussed the need for sanctions against Russia and defense cooperation.
"Pressure on Russia must continue until it is ready to stop the war," he said, while offering thanks to the American people for their support.
Zelenskyy says he met with Pope Leo XIV after inauguration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he met with Pope Leo XIV following his inauguration, and thanked the Vatican for its readiness to host direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.
At the close of his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts to war-torn regions as he recited the Regina Caeli.
He reminded the faithful in attendance that “Ukraine awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace.”
Vance and Rubio met with Zelenskyy at the sidelines of the inauguration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of Pope Leo XIV's inauguration today.
It is the first time that Zelenskyy has met with Vance since their fiery encounter at The White House in February.
The meeting took place at the Villa Taverna, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Rome.
Brother Louis hugs Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Basilica
Louis Prevost broke protocol inside St. Peter's Basilica today as he gave his brother, Pope Leo XIV, an almighty hug after lining up with dignitaries to see the pontiff.
Footage inside the Basilica captured the moment Louis and his wife held an emotional reunion with Leo.
The vast majority of those who waited to meet the pope were greeted with a handshake, with many kissing the ring on his hand.
The ancient symbols of the papal outfit
Pope Leo XIV’s vestments reflects ancient tradition and papal authority.
Though the papal tiara, symbolizing spiritual, temporal and supreme power, is still revered, no pope has worn it since Paul VI (1963-1978), who sold his for charity. Today, it resides in Washington, D.C.
Instead, Leo dons the pallium, a white band embroidered with six black silk crosses, made by Benedictine nuns from blessed lambswool. Fastened with pins recalling Christ’s crucifixion, it signifies pastoral duty and unity with the global Church.
Finally, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle placed the Fisherman’s Ring on Leo's finger. It is made of solid gold and engraved with Leo's name and an image of St. Peter, the fisherman apostle, casting a net. Once a seal for documents, it now embodies papal authority and tradition, and is customarily destroyed upon his death.
Villanova graduates in Rome see fellow alum become pope
Jim Danza, 56, and his son Jake, 22, both Villanova University grads, flew into Rome on a long-planned trip, unaware they'd be there to see Pope Leo XIV, a graduate of the same Catholic university.
"It was crazy when we found out the pope was from America," said Jim. "To know that he went to Villanova as well is amazing."
Jake, who graduated yesterday, said there was "an overwhelming sense of pride on campus."
"It means a little bit more now.” Jim reflected, “It’s something special to know you walked the same hallways as the leader of the Catholic Church.”
Gaza starving, Ukraine still waiting for peace, says Pope Leo XIV
At the close of his inauguration Mass, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts to war-torn regions as he recited the Regina Caeli.
“In Gaza,” he said, “the surviving children, families and elderly are reduced to starvation,” before lamenting renewed violence in Myanmar that has "cut short innocent young lives."
He also reminded the faithful in attendance that “Ukraine awaits negotiations for a just and lasting peace.” The pontiff is set to hold a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later on today.
Vatican City: The world's smallest country
The Vatican is not just the heart of the Catholic Church, it’s also the world’s smallest independent country.
Officially called Vatican City State, it covers just over 100 acres and is entirely surrounded by Rome.
It was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, and it has its own government, post office and passports. It has an estimated resident population of 882 people, and the pope serves as its head of state
