An open Popemobile that transported Pope Leo XIV on Sunday morning through the Plaza de San Pedro in El Vaticano, where Miles have gathered ahead of the newly chosen opening mass of the US Pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV greets the multitude of Popemobile before a Holy Mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in the Plaza de San Pedro in El Vaticano on May 18, 2025.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP through Getty Images
The Mass, called Holy Mass for the beginning of the pontificate, will begin in the Basilica of San Pedro in the city of the Vatican at 10 am local time, said the Vatican press office.
Mass attendees were expected in the Basilica of San Pedro, which marks the official beginning of Leo’s papacy, included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Pope Leo XIV in his Popemobile Tours St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican before the inaugural mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Leo, who was previously Cardinal Robert Prevost, is a 69 -year -old native of Chicago, Illinois. Chosen on May 8, he is the first American to direct the Church.
Pope Francis, his predecessor, died on April 21, after he was discharged from a stay at the hospital for a week.
This is a development story. Consult the updates again.
Megan Forrester of Abc News contributed to this report.