Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at St. Peter’s Square is an ancient ritual filled with symbolism that connects back to Peter, Jesus’ apostle, and his special mission as head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV presided over his inaugural Mass in front of St Peter’s Basilica, marking the formal start of his papacy. In his homily, Leo urged rejection of hatred and division, and disavowed "an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest.

Pope Leo XIV declared himself a Roman on Sunday as he completed the final ceremonial steps cementing his role as the bishop of Rome. The first American pope formally took possession of the St. John Lateran Basilica,