Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance on Sunday, 18 May 2025, riding through St Peter’s Square in the popemobile ahead of his inaugural Mass. The 69-year-old pontiff, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, received a jubilant welcome from tens of thousands of pilgrims who waved flags from across the world, including Peru, the United States, and the Vatican.
Cheering crowds filled the square as the bells of St Peter’s Basilica tolled, marking the start of a new chapter in the Catholic Church. The Mass formally ushered in the papacy of the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian missionary with dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship, appeared visibly moved as he received the pallium and the fisherman’s ring symbols of his role as shepherd of the Church’s 1.4 billion followers. The ceremony, unlike traditional coronations of the past, was a Eucharistic celebration that emphasised humility, inclusion, and global unity.
In his homily, the Pope expressed his commitment to making the Church a beacon of reconciliation in a world marked by conflict, inequality, and division. Echoing some of the values of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV pledged to continue championing peace while seeking to bridge cultural and ideological divides.
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The historic Mass was attended by global dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Vance, who had previously expressed policy disagreements with the new Pope, was seen exchanging greetings with President Zelensky.
The inauguration also held personal significance for many in attendance. Theology students, tourists, and Catholic faithful from around the world described the event as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Among them was Australian ambassador to the Holy See, Keith Pitt, who revealed that Pope Leo had a fondness for Tim Tams, reflecting the pontiff’s warm ties with Australia.
As the new Pope embarks on his spiritual leadership, his message of peace, dialogue, and reform has ignited renewed hope and excitement across the global Catholic community.
