Pope Leo Xiv to lead Sunday Mass on Sunday, thousands of people are expected to gather
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will lead his inauguration mass on Sunday, according to the Vatican.
Mass, called the Holy Mass for the beginning of Pontificate, will begin in the Vatican city on Sunday at 10 am local time (4 in the morning ET), said the Vatican press office.
Before the start of Mass, Leo will wave to tens of thousands of people who are expected to be in the crowd, according to officials.
Pope Leone XIV led Regina Caeli’s prayer at Santo Petrus Field on May 11, 2025 in the Vatican City.
Francesco Sforza/Vatican Media through Getty Images
Mass, which will be held at Saint Peter Basilica, will begin with the tomb of St. Peter, according to Vatican officials.
During Mass, Petrine Pallium and Fisherman rings will also be presented to Leo, The The Press office said.
The narrow-shaped Y-shaped Pallium-pita which is woven white and decorated with two black pendants, six black crosss and three pins representing the crucifixion of the Pope’s Christ-multiply on his shoulders on his shoulders in the responsibility of the Church.
Fishermen Ring, Gold Signature Ring, symbolizes the role of a new whale as the successor of St. Peter, a fisherman who is considered the first leader of the church, according to the Vatican press office. The ring indicates the beginning and end of the whale authority, with the Francis ring ceremonially broken after his death. The Catholic who met the Pope traditionally kissed the ring to show their respect for the Pope and their devotion to the Church.
Cardinal Italy Angelo Sodano placed a fishing ring, made of gold -plated silver, on Francis’s Pope’s finger during his magnificent inauguration mass on March 19, 2013 at the Vatican.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Leo will then give a homily, followed by prayer, called Regina Caeli, according to the Vatican. The event is estimated to be more than two hours, said officials.
After Regina Caeli, Leo is expected to greet delegates and guests, said the Vatican.
Among the guests who were expected to attend were Vice President JD Vance, the wife of Usha Vance and State Secretary Marco Rubio.
The newly selected Leo XIV Pope, Robert Francis Prevost spoke from the Vatican balcony, May 8, 2025 in the Vatican city, the Vatican.
Marco Mantovani/Getty Image
Leo, officially Cardinal Robert Prevost, was chosen as the 267th Pope on May 8. The native of Chicago is the successor of Pope Francis, who died on April 21.
Leo began to emerge as the leading runner for the papses in the days before the start of the Konklave, according to Rev. James Martin, a Papal contributor for ABC News.
The new whale is the only US cardinal on the short list of potential candidates for the whale, also known as “papabilles,” which was compiled after the death of Francis by The Associated Press.
ABC News’ Phoebe Natanson and Christopher Watson contributed to this report.
