The first American pope in history received the Ring of the Fisherman before 200,000 faithful and 200 international delegations gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, began his papacy on Sunday with a heartfelt appeal to build a “world where peace reigns” and a Church that acts as a “leaven for reconciliation,” during a solemn inaugural Mass that drew more than 200,000 worshippers and dignitaries from around the world to St. Peter’s Square.
“We must make this our first and greatest desire: a united Church, a sign of communion, becoming a ferment for a reconciled world,” Leo XIV declared in his homily, delivered mostly in Italian. “Let us build a new world where peace reigns.”
The 69-year-old pope, born in Chicago and later naturalized Peruvian, received the papal pallium and the Ring of the Fisherman in front of a crowd that included some 200 international delegations. Among them were U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several Latin American heads of state.
Visibly moved as he received the Ring of the Fisherman—a symbol crafted uniquely for each pope—Leo XIV paused in silent prayer, appearing to grasp the immense responsibility of leading a Church of 1.4 billion faithful.
“I was chosen without merit,” he told the crowd, “and with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be a servant of your faith and your joy.”
A message of social justice and reconciliation
Leo XIV has signaled a strong social orientation for his pontificate. By choosing the name Leo—honoring Leo XIII, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights and social justice—the new pope set a clear tone. His homily condemned the enduring inequalities of modern society.
“In our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, and fear of difference—by an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poor,” he said.
While echoing the social themes of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV displayed a more traditional liturgical style, donning the red papal mozzetta as he greeted state delegations—a detail that resonated with conservative sectors within the Church.
“We wish to be, within this great mass, a small leaven of unity, communion, and fraternity,” he added. “We wish to tell the world, with humility and joy: look to Christ! Come near to Him! Embrace His Word that enlightens and consoles.”
At the end of the Mass, the pope offered prayers for Gaza and appealed for negotiations toward a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine. “We cannot forget our brothers and sisters who suffer because of war,” he said. “In Gaza, children, families, and the elderly are being driven into hunger.”
The Vatican later confirmed that Leo XIV would meet with President Zelensky later in the day.
A ceremony rich in symbolism
Before the Mass, the pope visited the tomb of St. Peter beneath the basilica’s altar and prayed before receiving the symbols of his office—a gesture of continuity and humility. The altar displayed a replica of the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel, patroness of the Augustinian Order to which the pope belongs.
Security was tight, echoing the measures seen during the funeral of Pope Francis in April. Crowds spilled out of the square into adjacent streets, with the Vatican estimating more than 200,000 people in attendance.
The pope toured the square in the popemobile before the Mass, waving to flag-waving pilgrims and pausing for blessings.
The presence of Vice President Vance, a Catholic convert, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted the significance of the moment for the United States. In a gesture that drew applause, Vance rose to shake hands with President Zelensky, their first public encounter since a tense Oval Office meeting in February.
Peru, the pope’s adopted homeland, was also given special prominence, with President Dina Boluarte leading a robust Latin American delegation that included Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, and Paraguay’s Santiago Peña.
Among the European leaders were Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia—who wore white with a traditional mantilla, a privilege reserved for Catholic queens—Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
Ecumenical and interreligious reach
Representatives from 36 Christian denominations and numerous other faiths attended the ceremony. A group of 13 members of the Jewish community, including six rabbis, joined Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Zoroastrian delegations, underscoring the new pope’s commitment to dialogue and coexistence.
Toward the end of the service, Leo XIV paid tribute to his predecessor: “The death of Pope Francis filled our hearts with sorrow. In those difficult hours, we felt like the crowds described in the Gospel: ‘like sheep without a shepherd.’” The crowd responded with warm applause.
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