More than 200,000 people packed into St. Peter’s Square for Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Mass on Sunday, May 18, with world leaders and representatives from various faiths present, according to the Holy See. The 267th pontiff arrived at the Vatican in the popemobile, greeted by cheers and chants of “Viva il Papa” as he toured the square.
Following the procession, Leo received two signs of his pontificate: the “pallium” and the fisherman’s ring. The pontiff expressed gratitude for the support as he begins his pastoral ministry. “I am deeply moved by the prayerful and joyful support offered to me,” Leo said, emphasizing a vision for a united church. His homily stressed the importance of unity, communion and fraternity. “We want to be a small leaven of unity, communion and fraternity within the world,” he stated.
Leo called for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and offered prayers for Gaza, highlighting the plight of its residents. “Children, families, the elderly, survivors are reduced to hunger; we must act with compassion and urgency,” Leo urged.
Among the attendees were U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vance and Zelenskyy shook hands before the service. Leo later met with Zelenskyy at the Vatican to discuss the ongoing conflict and the need for peace.
What is the pallium and the fisherman’s ring?
The pallium is a narrow stole-like vestment with two pendants worn across the shoulders, decorated with crosses representing Jesus’ wounds. It’s made of white wool in an elaborate procedure where the lambs traditionally were blessed before being sheared, just like for the similar vestments given to archbishops on their ordination.
The ring of the fisherman authenticates the faith and symbolizes the duty with which the first pope was entrusted. When the pope dies, his fisherman’s ring, along with the lead seal, is marked with a chisel, thereby ensuring the seal cannot be forged. Therefore, every ring is unique and personal to each pope.
An American pope
On May 8, 133 cardinals named former Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States the new pope after Pope Francis’ death. This makes Prevost the first American pope in world history. Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV.
Leo was born in Chicago and became a missionary, spending much of his career in Peru as a minister. He was also the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery of Bishops, starting in 2023 under Pope Francis. He was then promoted to cardinal-bishop in February by his predecessor.
The selection of Prevost, a citizen from a world “superpower,” is a rare one, as the Vatican has largely gone the other direction in its selection of new popes.
