The ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica commenced with a procession heading towards St. Peter’s Square. Before the event began, Pope Leo XIV prayed at Saint Peter’s tomb.
Notable attendees included Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. International dignitaries such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, as well as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, were also present.
Security measures were extensive, reflecting those used for Pope Francis’ funeral. Thousands of police officers, volunteers, bomb disposal teams, snipers, and drone units were deployed. The Pope made his entrance in an open papamobile, greeting the crowd and blessing two infants along the way.
Central to the ceremony was the presentation of the “Fisherman’s Ring” to Pope Leo XIV by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, symbolizing his connection to Saint Peter and the apostolic mission. The event also featured Gospel readings in Greek, highlighting the historical ties between the Greek language and Christian tradition.
Approximately 250,000 faithful were expected to attend, alongside around 200 international representatives, including both the U.S. Vice President and the Ukrainian President. The Vatican arranged large screens for public viewing.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is 69 years old and the first American pope. A member of the Augustinian Order, he has served as a missionary in Peru and has held various church leadership positions. He was appointed by Pope Francis in early 2025 and is recognized for his emphasis on environmental issues, social justice, and pastoral care, although he approaches LGBT topics with caution.
His history includes involvement in two sexual abuse cases involving clergy—one during his time as provincial in Chicago and another as Bishop of Chiclayo in 2022—though he adhered to canonical procedures. Recent allegations from May 2025 suggest that the church paid $150,000 to silence victims, raising concerns about potential cover-ups.
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