By IDNN Religion Desk
Published: May 9, 2025
The Vatican has officially announced that the inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at St Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of a new papacy in the global Catholic Church. The ceremony is expected to draw world leaders, religious figures, and thousands of pilgrims from across the globe.
The inauguration will be the first major public appearance of Pope Leo XIV since his election as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican sources confirmed that following the Mass, the new Pontiff will hold an exclusive press briefing with journalists on Monday, May 19, and meet with diplomats accredited to the Holy See on Friday, May 23.
His first General Audience is slated for Wednesday, May 21, and he will formally meet with the Vatican’s top leadership — the Roman Curia — on Saturday, May 24.
A New Era Under Pope Leo XIV
Born Robert Francis Prevost, the 69-year-old Pope brings a unique background to the papacy. A Chicago native by birth, Pope Leo XIV is also a naturalized Peruvian citizen, having spent much of his ecclesiastical life in Latin America. He served as Bishop and later Archbishop of Chiclayo in Peru, where he gained significant experience in pastoral care and governance.
His election on Thursday by the College of Cardinals comes after years of rising influence within Vatican circles. Pope Francis had personally brought him to Rome in 2023 to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the global appointment of bishops — one of the most sensitive and strategic offices in the Church hierarchy.
A Humble Augustinian With Global Ties
Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Augustinian Order, known for its emphasis on community life, humility, and theological depth. Twice elected as the global head of the Augustinians, he developed a reputation for quiet but effective leadership.
Observers say his Latin American roots and global pastoral experience helped soften longstanding opposition to the idea of an American pope, long considered a taboo due to geopolitical concerns about U.S. dominance. His dual identity — American-born and Latin American in ministry — appears to have bridged that divide.
Vatican watchers note that despite his growing profile in recent years, the Pope has remained understated in public — a trait many believe reflects a deep commitment to service over symbolism.
Global Reactions Pour In
Reactions have poured in from around the world, with faith leaders and government officials congratulating Pope Leo XIV on his election. In Latin America, where he spent decades in ministry, many have expressed pride at his elevation, describing him as a man of the people.
“He understands our struggles and our hopes. This is a Pope who knows what it means to serve the poor and advocate for justice,” said a spokesperson for the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference.
What Lies Ahead
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to take the helm of a global church with more than 1.3 billion adherents, key issues await his leadership — from Vatican finances to sexual abuse reforms, interfaith dialogue, and the evolving role of women in the Church.
Church analysts expect the new Pope to continue Francis’s legacy of reform, with his own emphasis on episcopal accountability and pastoral outreach.
For millions of Catholics, May 18 is not just the start of a new papacy — it is the dawn of a new direction for a Church still grappling with the demands of modernity, tradition, and global unity.
