The inauguration of Leo XIV: "Let the united Church be ferment for a reconciled world". The meeting with Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in the Vatican for the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, expressed on X gratitude "for the special words spoken today during the solemn Mass on the need for a just peace and for the attention paid to Ukraine and our people. Every nation deserves to live in peace and security". "Congratulations on the start of this very special mission. May prayers for a just peace and a dignified life for all be heard," he added.

The Russian Minister of Culture, Olga Lyubimova, was unable to attend the mass marking the beginning of the pontificate of Leo XIV due to "problems on the flight route". This was reported today by the Russian Ministry of Culture, specifying in a note reported by news agencies that the Russian delegation attending the Mass was led by the Russian Ambassador to the Vatican, Ivan Soltanovsky.

La ministra della cultura russa Lyubimova

 

The delegations' homage to Pope Leo XIV at the end of the mass at the beginning of the pontificate has come to an end. The influx of leaders from all over the world who wanted to greet Pope Prevost at the end of the inauguration ceremony thus ended inside the Basilica.

Pope Leo XIV may see US Vice President J.D. Vance in the coming hours. Prevost, tomorrow, is scheduled to hold a series of audiences with various members of the delegations present in the Vatican today at the Pontifical Initiation Mass. The protocol of the Holy See, as stated in recent hours by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was at work to organise the face-to-face meeting.

US Vice President JD Vance was, with his wife Usha, at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray at the tomb of Pope Francis. "He was loved by many Catholics around the world and I hope you will join me in praying for the repose of his soul," Vance himself wrote on social media, posting photos of his visit to the basilica where Bergoglio is buried.

The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, published a photo on X showing him with Pope Leo XIV after the mass at the beginning of his pontificate, commenting: 'First meeting and tomorrow I will have a second one, longer, to talk about our Latin America, the struggle for Peace and Life and Colombia's exit from a hundred years of loneliness'.

Il presidente della Colombia Gustavo Petro

REUTERS/Florence Lo/Pool

According to reports, a bilateral meeting was held in the Vatican between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen paid tribute to Pope Leo XIV. Following her was the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.

Papa: l’omaggio di Von der Leyen a Leone XIV

REUTERS/Claudia Greco

The only embrace Pope Leo XIV reserved during his greeting to the delegations at the end of the installation mass inside St. Peter's Basilica was for his brother Louis Prevost, who was accompanied by his wife. He is the elder brother of the new Pope. With him the warmest exchange outside of protocol.

The Pope greeted Israel's President Isaac Herzog, who wore a label on his jacket bearing the number '590', the number of days since the beginning of the conflict with Hamas.

"The competent authorities estimate that some 200,000 people attended the Regina Coeli, at the end of this morning's Mass, in St. Peter's Square and the surrounding areas". The attendance figures for the inauguration mass come from the Vatican.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also greeted the Pope at the end of the inauguration mass. Zelensky was accompanied by his wife Olena. The Vatican made it known a short while ago that the Ukrainian president will be received in audience by Leo XIV.

"Great participation with over 150,000 people, now there is a large outflow, which we are managing with the system logic that inspired us. Everything has gone well so far, but the concentration remains high because after the outflow of the faithful there is the outflow of delegations, some do not leave immediately but have programmes in the city, and the focus also shifts to Santa Maria Maggiore'.

This was said by the Quaestor of Rome, Roberto Massucci, speaking to journalists from the Operations Room for the management of security at major events in San Vitale after the mass for the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Referring to the use of drones, he explained that "a device was used that made use of an important scenario assessment capability, unique in the literature of public order management".

After the Italian delegation, Pope Leo XIV greeted delegations from Peru, the country of which he has held citizenship since 2015, and the United States, the country where he was born almost 70 years ago. The Peruvian delegation is led by President Dina Boluarte.

US Vice President Jd Vance also greeted Pope Leo XIV inside St Peter's Basilica. Immediately after him to pay his respects to the Pontiff was the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

"Today we gather in Rome to celebrate the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Since his election, His Holiness has brought a profound message of peace. A peace sustained by understanding and perseverance". This is what EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was present at the mass at the beginning of the Pontificate, wrote on social media.

"It is a message that resonates deeply throughout the world, and particularly on our continent," von der Leyen adds, "in Europe we know that peace cannot be taken for granted. It must be built, cultivated and carefully guarded. As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his magisterium, we walk with him in his vision: peace as a miracle that we are all called to shape'.

Pope Leo XIV greeted inside the Basilica the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter Laura, and later, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who posted a message on social X a short while ago.

"Today Pope Leo XIV begins his Petrine Ministry. There is an indissoluble bond between Italy and the Vicar of Christ," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, present in St Peter's Square for the Pontiff's enthronement ceremony, wrote on social media. "The Italian people will look to him and the Church as guides and points of reference in this complex turn of history," the Prime Minister concluded.

Pope Leo prayed today for Ukraine, recalling that the world is "finally waiting" for "a just and lasting peace" to be negotiated for the country after more than two years of conflict. He said this at the end of the mass at the beginning of his pontificate, before pronouncing the Regina Caeli. The Pontiff, the Vatican has announced, will meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky at the Vatican.

With the Regina Coeli and the blessing of the square, the mass at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV came to an end. Now the Pontiff will receive the homage of the delegations inside the basilica.

"In Gaza, children, families and the elderly are reduced to hunger". This is what Leo XIV recalled during the Regina Coeli. The Pontiff then turned his thoughts also to the other conflict, that between Russia and Ukraine where, he said, "negotiations for a just and lasting peace" are awaited.

The Pope today received in audience Volodymyr Zelensky, President of the Republic of Ukraine. This was announced by the Vatican itself as the mass for the beginning of Leo XIV's pontificate draws to a close.

World leaders gathered at St Peter's for the ceremony of the start of the pontificate of Leo XIV. At the solemn mass for the enthronement of Pope Prevost, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, appeared in a blue suit; the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, arrived with his daughter Laura, who wore a black veil as a sign of respect for the liturgy. Mattarella greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: a few metres away sat the Vice-President of the United States, J.D. Vance (converting to Catholicism in 2019), who was present with his wife Usha, also wearing a headscarf.

Among the international authorities was also the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The Italian delegation was also led by Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who before the start of the ceremony had a brief exchange with the President of Peru and the Governor of Chiclayo, a diocese linked to the pastoral history of the new Pontiff.

Also present on St. Peter's parvis were the President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and, representing the Senate, Vice-President Licia Ronzulli: the President of the Assembly of Palazzo Madama, Ignazio La Russa, was attending the communion of his niece. Among the former prime ministers were Matteo Renzi and Mario Monti. Among the authorities present was also the vice-president of the Csm Fabio Pinelli.

Papa: la stretta di mano tra la premier Meloni e Zelensky

Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

The Holy See Press Office has updated the number of faithful who took part in the Mass of the inauguration of Leo XIV, stating that there were almost "150,000" present in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Leo XIV, who is celebrating the mass at the beginning of his pontificate, had celebrated the last mass presided over by Pope Francis before his admission to the Gemelli hospital. The occasion had been the Jubilee of the Armed Forces last 9 February when the then Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had celebrated with Monsignor Santo Marcianò, Military Ordinary for Italy, and the Archbishop of Vilnius, Gintaras Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.

L’omaggio del Pontefice alla tomba di Papa Bergoglio

ANSA / VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT

About one hundred thousand faithful are present at this moment in St. Peter's Square for Pope Leo's inauguration Mass. This was reported by Vatican sources citing information from the competent authorities

"I hope to see His Holiness in the Holy Land soon". This is the wish expressed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who today, as he writes in X, had "the privilege of representing Israel at the historic installation of Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican". "I am grateful that one of the Pope's first acts was to call for the immediate return of all our brothers and sisters, who have been held hostage in Gaza for 590 agonising days," recalls Herzog, who expresses the hope that "his papacy will usher in a new era of cooperation between all faiths and further strengthen the friendship between Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land.

"I look forward to working together to deepen the historic ties between Israel and the Holy See, and I hope to soon welcome His Holiness to the Holy Land as a powerful symbol of this important bond," writes the Israeli president, who says he is "grateful for the opportunity to participate in this important occasion, and in all my meetings with world leaders I will carry with me the urgent call to bring home all our hostages, immediately!"

St Peter's Square came alive when Leo XIV greeted the pilgrims and recalled Pope Francis during his homily. One of the warmest applauses that broke out was when Prevost pronounced the word peace. Enthusiasm broke out at that moment, both in the square and in Via della Conciliazione. This was a subject that had struck a chord with the faithful since his inauguration. There had been other long applause at the end of the rites of the imposition of the pallium and the handing over of the fisherman's ring to the pontiff during mass.

In addition to various quotations from the Old Testament (from the book of Jeremiah), from the Gospels (from Matthew and John), from the Acts of the Apostles and from the First Epistle of Peter, in his homily at the mass at the beginning of his pontificate Pope Leo XIV also made quotations from St. Augustine, whose 'son' he declared himself to be as a member of the Augustinian order, and from Leo XIII, the Pope of 'Rerum Novarum', the founder of the Social Doctrine of the Church, after whom he was named.

Of St Augustine Pope Leo made, at the very beginning of his homily, a quotation from the Confessions: 'You have made us for yourself, [Lord,] and our heart has no rest until it rests in you'. Another is from one of the Discourses: 'The Church consists of all those who are in harmony with their brothers and who love their neighbour'. Again from St. Augustine, but without explicitly stating the author, the Pope also quoted the phrase 'in the one Christ we are one', which in the Latin version ('in Illo uno unum') is his motto, first as bishop, then as cardinal and now as pontiff.

A finally reconciled world that overcomes the current situation where hatred, violence and prejudices grow is a "road to be taken together, among ourselves but also with our sister Christian Churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who cultivate the restlessness of the search for God, with all women and men of good will, to build a new world where peace reigns". This was the invitation made by Pope Leo XIV during his homily for the Mass at the beginning of his Pontificate. (Continued)

"This, brothers and sisters, I would like it to be our first great desire: a united Church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes leaven for a reconciled world", are the words of Leo XIV in the mass at the beginning of his pontificate. "In these times of ours, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of what is different, by an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest," Prevost added in his homily. "And we want to be, within this dough, a small leaven of unity, of communion, of fraternity.

"Peter is entrusted with the task of 'loving more' and of giving his life for the flock," Pope Leo emphasised in the mass at the beginning of the pontificate. "Peter's ministry is marked precisely by this oblative love, because the Church of Rome presides in charity and its true authority is the charity of Christ. "It is never a question of capturing others with oppression, with religious propaganda or with the means of power, but it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did," he added in the homily.

Papa: il Pontefice durante l’omelia

REUTERS/REMO CASILLI

"My heart is filled with gratitude," were the first words spoken by the Pontiff during the inauguration mass. "I was chosen without any merit". Pope Prevost continued. "In these last days, we have lived a particularly intense time. The death of Pope Francis filled our hearts with sadness and, in those difficult hours, we felt like those crowds of which the Gospel says they were 'like sheep without a shepherd'.

"On Easter Day, however," he recalled in his homily, "we received his last blessing and, in the light of the Resurrection, we faced this moment in the certainty that the Lord never abandons his people, gathers them together when they are scattered and 'guards them like a shepherd his flock'.

Pope Leo XIV looked with great emotion at the Fisherman's Ring after it had been handed over by Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle, who, shortly before, had delivered an oration invoking Christ, 'shepherd and bishop of our souls', who built the Church on the rock of Peter, and by Peter himself was recognised as the 'Son of the living God'.

Before the mass at the beginning of the pontificate of Leo XIV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shook hands with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US Vice-President JD Vance, among others. He then approached the area in St. Peter's Square where the Italian delegation is seated.

The Ukrainian leader greeted President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, with whom he exchanged a few words, and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Then the warm greeting, with a hug, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Papa: la stretta di mano tra Vance e Zelensky

Photo by Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP

We enter into the heart of the celebration for the installation of Pope Prevost. At the end of the proclamation of the Gospel in Latin and Greek, three cardinals from the three orders (deacons, presbyters and bishops) and from different continents approached Leo XIV: the first (Cardinal Dominique Mamberti) imposes the Pallium on him, the second (Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu) asks, with a special prayer, for the Lord's presence and assistance on the Pope, the third (Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle) also pronounces an oration, invoking Christ, "shepherd and bishop of our souls", who built the Church on the rock of Peter, and by Peter himself was recognised as the "Son of the living God", that it is he who gives the new Pontiff the Fisherman's Ring. This moment concludes by praying to the Holy Spirit to enrich the new Pontiff with strength and meekness in preserving Christ's disciples in the unity of communion, then the Pope blesses the assembly with the Book of the Gospels, while acclaiming in Greek: 'Ad multos annos!

State Police drones launched into the air over St Peter's Square to ensure a 'cone of security' throughout the Vatican area on the occasion of the enthronement ceremony of Pope Leo XIV. The fleet of drones, explains the Questura di Roma, allows remote control of the road surfaces and the space above them along all the routes of the flow of the faithful

Thanks to the bird's-eye view, discreetly ensured by the new-generation devices provided by the Questura di Roma, there is still a constant and gradual influx that is engaging the entire security apparatus and the urban spaces gravitating around St. Peter's Square.

Papa: la piazza gremita per la messa di insediamento

Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP

The readings that the rite of the Mass of the beginning of the Pontificate proposed today to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square dealt with the mission of Peter, the "Prince" of the Apostles. Readings were proclaimed in Spanish (the first) and English (the second) while the Gospel, taken from the evangelist John, was read in Latin.

In the Easter season now underway, the first reading quotes the page from the book of the Acts of the Apostles in which Peter proclaims that Christ is 'the stone rejected by the builders', while the second reading, taken from Peter's first letter, again emphasises the link between Peter himself, the Church of Rome and the ministry of his Successor.

Lastly, the Gospel passage that was proclaimed is taken from the Gospel of John and contains, after the resurrection of Christ, the threefold question asked of Simon Peter about his love for the Risen One with the threefold affirmative answer that acts as "reparation" for the threefold betrayal of the leader of the apostles during the night of the betrayal. An attestation of faith that will place Peter himself at the head of the Church with the task, over the centuries, of "confirming his brothers in the faith".

Papa: il Pontefice sull’altare durante il rito di insediamento

ANSA/FABIO FRUSTACI

There are over four thousand concelebrants at Pope Leo's inauguration mass. On the parvis there are 200 cardinals and 750 bishops and priests. Another three thousand concelebrating priests are in the first sector of the square on the left as you look at the basilica; also present in St. Peter's Square are 400 deacons and concelebrating priests who will distribute communion.

Papa: l’uscita del Pontefice e dei concelebranti dalla Basilica

Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS

With the renewal of the rite of baptism, the start of the Pontificate of Leo XIV began. The Pontiff is celebrating the rite of enthronement in Latin in a packed St Peter's with over 250,000 faithful in the square and delegations from all over the world.

Applause from the crowd greeted Pope Leo XIV as he arrived on the parvis of St Peter's Basilica. The Pontiff stopped to incense the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano, to whom Pope Prevost is very devoted.

The concelebrating cardinals in procession in St. Peter's Basilica. Leo XIV climbs up onto the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica and joins the procession, while the Laudes Regiæ - a litany song - is sung, invoking the intercession of the holy Pontiffs, martyrs and saints of the Roman Church. From the central gate of the Vatican Basilica hangs the tapestry of the Miraculous Peach, depicting Jesus' dialogue with Peter, which is explicitly referred to in the liturgy of the Word and in the texts of the celebration. It is a reproduction of the one in Flemish manufacture, made for the Sistine Chapel on a cartoon by Raphael Sanzio and conserved in the Vatican Museums. At the altar, on the other hand, there is an effigy of Our Lady of Good Counsel from the Marian Sanctuary of Genazzano.

The solemn mass at the start of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate is also being attended by 38 delegations from as many ecumenical representatives of other Christian Churches. The Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, is also among them.

It began with the Pope incensing the relics of the Apostle Peter the rite of installation of the new Pontiff Leo XIV. The ceremony, which will last a couple of hours, is one of the most solemn liturgies and now continues with the removal of his two likenesses from the beginning of his pontificate, the Fisherman's Ring and the Pallium, which will then be handed over to Pope Prevost.

Inside St Peter's Basilica the rite of installation of the new Pontiff has begun. It will be a solemn liturgy between rites and symbols. To impose the Pallium on Leo XIV will be Cardinal Dominique Mamberti; the Cardinal Archbishop of Congo Fridolin Ambongo Besungu - with a special prayer - will ask for the presence and assistance of the Lord over the Pope; the Fisherman's Ring will be presented to the Pope by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. For the symbolic rite of 'obedience' given to the Pope there will be twelve representatives of all categories of God's people, from various parts of the world. In detail, the rite of obedience Leo XIV will perform before three cardinals: Leo (North America); Spengler (South America); Ribat (Oceania); before a bishop (Msgr. Alberto Barrera); a presbyter; a deacon; two religious (Sister Oonah O'Shea, President Uisg and Father Arturo Sosa, President Usg); a married couple and two young people.

The President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen has arrived in St. Peter's Square to attend the mass for the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. This is what we learn from the Operative Room for the management of security at Major Events of the Rome Police Headquarters.

A handshake between the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has arrived in St. Peter's Square to take part in the rite of installation of the new Pope Leo XIV. The delegations invited to the ceremony are taking their places on the parvis where the Pontiff's enthronement Mass will begin shortly.

US Vice-President Jd Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in St. Peter's Square to attend the mass at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. This is what we learn from the Operative Room for the Security Management of Major Events of the Rome Police Headquarters

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in St Peter's Square to attend the enthronement mass of Leo XIV. The Prime Minister stopped to greet the Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni. Also with Meloni was the deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.

The two symbols of the Petrine ministry - the fisherman's ring and the pallium - are ready in St Peter's Basilica. They will be carried in procession to the altar in St Peter's Square where Pope Leo's inauguration mass will take place. On the inside of the fisherman's ring is the inscription Leo XIV, on the outside the image of St Peter with the keys and the net. The pallium is of white wool, the symbol of the bishop as good shepherd and, at the same time, "of the Lamb crucified for the salvation of humanity", as explained by the office for liturgical celebrations. The pallium is a sash that rests on the shoulders, above the chasuble, the liturgical robe. It has two black flaps hanging from the front and back, is decorated with six black silk crosses and is garnished, front and back, with three pins depicting the three nails of Christ's cross.

A Ukrainian flag, displayed by a nun from a window of the Auditorium della Conciliazione, greeted the passage of Pope Leo XIV at the end of Via della Conciliazione. "Long live the pope", "long live Leo" shouted the crowd along the barriers as the pope smilingly blessed.

A Ukrainian flag, displayed by a nun from a window of the Auditorium della Conciliazione, greeted the passage of Pope Leo XIV at the end of Via della Conciliazione. "Long live the pope", "long live Leo" shouted the crowd along the barriers as the pope smilingly blessed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected at the new pontiff's inauguration ceremony.

President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella arrived in St. Peter's Square for the ceremony of the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. The Head of State leads the Italian delegation. French President Emmanuel Macron also arrived at St. Peter's.

Pope Prevost travelled all around St Peter's Square in the Popemobile to greet the faithful who had flocked there today. Many, especially those furthest from the parvis, attempted to run to the edge of the squares set up to allow the Pontiff to pass by in order to greet him and extend their hand.

Papa: bagno di folla in piazza per il primo giro in papamobile

ANSA/FABIO FRUSTACI

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana, arrived in St. Peter's Square to participate in the Eucharistic celebration of the beginning of the pontificate of His Holiness Leo XIV.

The rite of the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV has officially begun. The Pontiff on board the Popemobile came out onto St Peter's parvis to greet the crowd that had been waiting for him since dawn when the gates were opened to facilitate the flow onto the square.

Ten Peruvian citizens who were on their way to St Peter's Square, carrying placards with the words 'No a la justicia farsa. Freedom to President Pedro Cardillo Terrones' and some slogans with messages of protest against their Peruvian government authorities, were blocked by the police at some gates. The group was identified by the Digos of the Questura di Roma.

Delegations are arriving in St Peter's Square for the Mass of the beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. A total of 156 are expected on the parvis, and an hour before the start of the rite they are beginning to take their places according to the strict rules of Vatican protocol that organised the ceremony.

On the parvis of St Peter's, for the mass that will mark the start of Leo XIV's pontificate there will also be the icon of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano, to whom Pope Prevost is very devoted. Last Saturday, in a surprise blitz, the Pope went to Genazzano, on the outskirts of Rome, to entrust his prayers to the Mother to whom he is so devoted.

In St Peter's Square - with the 156 delegations from all over the world - also the ecumenical delegations. At St. Peter's, for the 'enthronement' Mass of Leo XIV, there will be fifteen Patriarchs, Major Archbishops and Eastern Metropolitans. Among them, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is expected to be received by the Pope tomorrow: on this occasion he could formalise his invitation to Nicaea for the 1700th anniversary of the Council. Over four thousand concelebrants including cardinals, bishops and priests.

It will be Cardinal Dominique Mamberti who will impose the Pallium on Pope Leo XIV during the inauguration ceremony. The Fisherman's Ring will instead be slipped on by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The oration will instead be delivered by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu representing all continents.

Impressive security plan for the mass at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. More than six thousand men and women of the forces of law and order, specialised personnel for escorting foreign authorities, anti-drone devices, snipers, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, 300 firemen, more than a thousand volunteers of the Civil Defence, the same number of stewards and military personnel, a thousand men of Ama and local police officers are in the field. The no-fly zone and the ban on navigation on the stretch of the Tiber near the Vatican were also enforced.

For the mass of the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV this morning there will be 156 delegations from all over the world taking their places to the right of the parvis of St. Peter's looking at the basilica. For Italy, the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, and the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, will be present. The United States will be represented by Vice President JD Vance, Peru by President Dina Boluarte. Also arriving will be Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Rome is preparing for the great embrace of the new Pontiff Leo XIV with the mass for the beginning of his pontificate for which more than 250,000 faithful are expected in the capital. And the parvis of St Peter's two hours before the start of the rite is already packed with people arriving in the square, which has been open for an hour and a half for the function. Which will begin with a papapomobile ride by Pope Prevost, his first as Pontiff, scheduled for 9am.