An open-topped popemobile carrying Pope Leo XIV drove on Sunday morning through St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, where thousands have gathered ahead of the newly elected American pontiff’s inaugural mass.
Pope Leo XIV greets the crowd from the popemobile before a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter’s square in The Vatican on May 18, 2025.
Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
The mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, will begin in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City at 10 a.m. local time, the Vatican Press Office said.
Attendees at the mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, which marks the official beginning of Leo’s papacy, were expected to include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Pope Leo XIV on his popemobile tours St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican prior to the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
Leo, who was formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is a 69-year-old native of Chicago, Illinois. Elected on May 8, he’s the first American to lead the church.
Pope Francis, his predecessor, died on April 21, after he was discharged from a weeks-long hospital stay.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News’ Megan Forrester contributed to this report.
