Pope’s custom-made car carries Louis XIV statue through St Peter’s Square
The inauguration of Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Catholic Church will officially begin shortly in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square, Rome, according to webangah News Agency.
The ceremony marks the formal start of Pope Leo XIV’s leadership before a crowd of 250,000 attendees. This is the first time a North American has been elected to this position.
Today’s event is expected to be attended by world leaders including U.S. Vice President JD Vance,Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,Canadian prime Minister Mark Carney,adn Britain’s Prince Edward representing King Charles III.
Following tradition, Pope Leo entered St. Peter’s Square in the special papal vehicle, greeting massive crowds along his route.
The pontiff will then proceed into St. Peter’s Basilica accompanied by cardinals to receive two symbolic gifts: The Fisherman’s Ring representing his papacy (which will be destroyed upon his death), and a woolen pallium symbolizing his role as spiritual shepherd.
Pope Leo will deliver an inaugural homily expected to address global conflicts – a key theme as his election. Each pope may customize aspects of their inauguration; Pope Francis used an open-top Jeep instead of traditional vehicles during his 2013 ceremony.
The 69-year-old Robert Provost was elected earlier this month following Pope Francis’ death after just 26 hours of conclave deliberations. Born in Chicago (1955) with dual U.S.-Peruvian citizenship, he is joined at today’s ceremony by U.S. Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio – who had met with Francis shortly before his passing.
