Pope Leo XIV officially began his pontificate this Sunday with a solemn Mass in the Plaza de San Pedro, filled with more than 250 thousand faithful and with the presence of 150 international delegations. The Argentine delegation was represented by Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello.
The day began with a moment of recollection in the Vatican crypt, where the pontiff descended to pray before the tomb of San Pedro. Accompanied by the patriarchs of the Catholic churches of Eastern Rite, Leo XIV was covered with the tiara and remained a few minutes in prayer, after incense the place where, according to tradition, the remains of the apostle rest.
Before the liturgical ceremony, the Pope toured the place in the Papamóvil for half an hour, greeting the faithful who received him between applause and cheers of “Leone, Leone!”.
Local estimates suggest that there are some 250,000 visitors attentive to the ceremony in the San Pedro Square, that was crossed by Leo XIV in the Papamóvil an hour before the start of the official mass.
The rite has an important security deployment that will guard the presence of more than 150 official delegations. Among the world leaders who will be present are the presidents Sergio Mattarella (Italy), Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine), Isaac Herzog (Israel), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), Dina Boluarte (Peru), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (Portugal) and Andrzej doubts (Poland); The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni; The American vice president, JD Vance; the head of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen; and European sovereign as Felipe VI and Letizia (Spain), Maximum (Holland), Felipe and Matilde (Belgium), among others.
On Thursday, it was known that Javier Milei I would not travel to the ceremony. From the Executive they argued “Agenda topics” to explain the reason for the decision, since the trip overlaps with the Legislative elections in the city of Buenos Aireswhich will be held this Sunday. As this media could know, the official delegation will be confirmed by the head of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovelloand the chancellor Gerardo Werthein. At the moment, it is ruled out that the secretary of cult and civilization is added, Nahuel Sotelo, since he is “bound to a family issue.”
Palio, Ring and Mass before the faithful: the official beginning of the new Pontiff
The symbolic elements of the pontificate – the Palio and the fisherman’s ring – were delivered to the posterior ceremony. The Palio, placed by Cardinal Protodiácono Dominique Mamberti, and the ring, delivered by Cardinal Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, mark the official beginning of the papal mandate.
Mass began under the song of Laudes Regiaelitanies in honor of Christ who mention Santos Popes. From the central balcony of the basilica hung a great tapestry with the image of miraculous fishing, symbolizing Peter’s call for Jesus.
Leo XIV went back to the place in Papamóvil before the Mass, without stopping to bless or receive offerings, although he greeted with enthusiasm. Thousands of faithful who failed to enter the square followed the ceremony from giant screens installed on the road of the Conciliazione.
Source: Ambito
