Pope Leo’s Journey and Inauguration Rituals
Pope Leo, born near Dolton, Illinois, spent decades in Peru, becoming a citizen and later serving as Bishop of Chiclayo. Fluent in Spanish and Italian, he held various roles before Pope Francis appointed him to Vatican leadership.
World leaders attended the mass, including Ursula von der Leyen, President Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance. Afterward, Pope Leo is expected to move into the Apostolic Palace.
The inauguration included sacred rites: “the kissing of the altar,” a prayer at St. Peter’s tomb, and the receiving of the pallium and the fisherman’s ring — placed “on the ring finger of the pope’s left hand” — officially marking the start of his papacy.
