What to Expect Pope Leo's Big Inauguration Day

Pope Leo XIV has officially assumed the role of the Catholic Church’s leader, commencing his tenure with a mass at the Sistine Chapel. During this service, he reflected on his election, describing it as both a burden and a blessing. ‘You have called me to bear this cross and to be blessed with this mission, and I know I can count on each and every one of you to walk with me as we continue as a church, as a community, as friends of Jesus, as believers, to proclaim the good news, to proclaim the Gospel,’ Leo XIV said, addressing the College of Cardinals.

While Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has already led his first mass for the cardinals, the formal papal inauguration Mass is still over a week away. There is no set timeline for when the papal inauguration Mass must occur after a conclave, but this year’s service will happen later than the last. When Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013, his inauguration took place just six days later.

The election of Pope Leo XIV, a 69-year-old Chicago native with dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship, has been met with enthusiasm among the global Catholic community of 1.4 billion. Before his papacy, Leo XIV served as the head of the church’s Dicastery for Bishops and had discussed his intentions to address the ‘challenges’ facing the Catholic Church in the United States.

Here’s what we know so far about the upcoming inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV. The inauguration Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square. Leading up to the inauguration, Pope Leo XIV has a packed schedule, including meetings with cardinals, the press, and prayer sessions.

The inauguration Mass on May 18 will be a significant event, marking the official start of Pope Leo XIV’s term. Global leaders are expected to attend, similar to Pope Francis’s 2013 inauguration, which included former U.S. President Joe Biden and Argentina’s former President Cristina Fernandez.

The inauguration Mass typically begins with a visit to St. Peter’s tomb inside the Basilica. Deacons will present the fisherman’s ring and the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment worn by the Pope. Following this, a procession into St. Peter’s Square will take place, during which the chant ‘Laudes Regiae’ — or ‘Christus vincit,’ meaning ‘Christ is King/Christ conquers’ — will be recited. Pope Leo XIV will likely be presented with the pallium and the ring, symbolizing his assumption of the papacy. The duration of the Mass can vary, but Pope Francis’s inauguration lasted approximately two hours.

In my opinion, the inauguration of a new Pope is always a momentous occasion, filled with both religious significance and global attention. The delays and preparations leading up to the event underscore the importance of the role and the need for thorough preparation. The inclusion of global leaders and the elaborate rituals highlight the universal impact of the Catholic Church and the expectations placed on its leader. As we look forward to Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration, it is clear that his leadership will be marked by a blend of tradition and a modern understanding of the challenges facing the Church today.