Pope Leo XIV Becomes First American Pope, Begins Ministry at Grand Inaugural Mass

VATICAN CITY – History was made on Sunday as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, officially began his pontificate with a grand inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary from Chicago stood before tens of thousands of faithful, world leaders, religious dignitaries, and members of the public, launching a new era for the Catholic Church.

The day’s events were a striking blend of centuries-old tradition and modern symbolism. Before the Mass, Pope Leo took his first ride in the popemobile, a ceremonial journey around the piazza that has come to symbolize the papacy’s global visibility and personal outreach. He waved and smiled warmly at the crowds, though he did not make stops to greet or bless individual children, as some of his predecessors have done.

Security was tight, with civil protection personnel in bright uniforms guiding pilgrims into carefully arranged sections around the square and along the main boulevard. Authorities in Rome had prepared for a crowd of nearly 250,000, the same number that had gathered for the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26.

US Vice President JD Vance, who was among the last American officials to visit Pope Francis before his passing, paid tribute at the late pope’s tomb upon his arrival in Rome. He led the American delegation honoring Pope Leo, whose birthplace of Chicago was a source of pride for many attendees. Also present was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived ahead of the ceremony in hopes of pushing forward diplomatic discussions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among roughly a dozen world leaders attending the Mass. Due to Pope Leo’s dual citizenship, both the US and Peru received front-row seating during the ceremony. Russia, meanwhile, was represented at a lower diplomatic level by Culture Minister Olga Liubimova.

In line with Vatican diplomatic protocol, most attendees dressed in black. However, Catholic queens and princesses — including Charlene of Monaco and Letizia of Spain — wore white, a special privilege afforded to a few royal women within the Church. Delegations from around three dozen Christian denominations attended the Mass, along with a 13-member Jewish delegation, half of whom were rabbis.

Before the main ceremony, Pope Leo visited the tomb of St. Peter beneath the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, praying in quiet reverence. He then processed into the open piazza, where the Mass took place beneath the bright Roman sky.

One of the key moments of the Mass involved Leo receiving two of the most powerful symbols of the papacy. First, the pallium, a woolen stole draped across his shoulders, representing the shepherd’s role in carrying the flock — symbolizing how the pope leads and protects the Church. Second, the fisherman’s ring, which becomes the official seal of the pope and connects back to Jesus’ call to Peter to be a “fisher of men.”

Unlike past coronation ceremonies, which included the pope being crowned with a tiara, Sunday’s Mass was a more modest affair, marking the beginning of Leo’s ministry as Bishop of Rome. The rite of obedience also reflected modern adaptations: rather than all cardinals pledging their loyalty, representatives from various Church groups — including cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, nuns, married couples, and youth — stepped forward to affirm their support.

Pope Leo’s early messages as pontiff have hinted at his focus areas. In his first major diplomatic speech, he emphasized peace, justice, and truth as the Holy See’s foundational pillars. His first economic address focused on the Church’s long-standing social doctrine and the importance of truth in public life.

Though it remains uncertain whether Leo’s installation homily will serve as a detailed mission statement, as it has for some previous popes, it is clear that he brings a strong vision to the role.

At the end of the Mass, Pope Leo gave a final blessing and then returned to the basilica, where he met the heads of more than 150 official delegations from across the globe. As he begins his leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV steps into the role with both the heritage of tradition and the hopes of a modern Church eager for renewed direction and unity.

Team Maverick.