Pope Leo XIV promised to withstand the “temptation to be an autocrat” and to not rule by “religious propaganda” as he was formally inaugurated on the Vatican.
Round 200,000 folks gathered alongside cardinals and world leaders in St Peter’s Sq. on Sunday to witness the pope’s inaugural mass.
Pontificating throughout the piazza in Vatican Metropolis, the Pope declared that “we still see too much discord” and “too many wounds” because of “hatred, violence, prejudice”, as effectively an “economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest”.
He paid tribute to his predecessors Pope Francis, who died on 21 April, and Pope Leo XIII, who was head of the Catholic Church from 1878 to 1903.
Picture:
Pope Leo throughout his inauguration in St Peter’s Sq.. Pic: AP
Picture:
An estimated 200,000 folks attended the inauguration. Pic: AP
Picture:
Pic: AP
Picture:
Pope Leo waves from the popemobile. Pic: AP
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
0:33
Infants blessed by Pope
The American pontiff, 69, stated the authority of the Catholic Church ought to by no means be a “question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda, or by means of power”.
As an alternative, he stated he would search to control the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics “without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat”.
“I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,” he stated throughout his homily.
Picture:
The pope speaks throughout his inaugural mass. Pic: Reuters
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was among the many queue of world leaders invited to shake palms with the Pope after his inaugural handle.
The pair have been because of have one other assembly in non-public on Sunday afternoon, the Vatican introduced in the direction of the tip of the ceremony.
Mr Zelenskyy was seen shaking palms with US Vice President JD Vance as they took their seats earlier than the proceedings bought below method – after their dramatic conflict on the White Home in February.
Picture:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes palms with JD Vance. Pic: AP
The UK was represented by Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and International Secretary David Lammy.
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte was additionally given a front-row seat, with Pope Leo a joint US-Peruvian citizen.
Picture:
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh arrives for the inauguration. Pic: Reuters
Picture:
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive for the ceremony. Pic: AP
The pontiff first prayed on the tomb of St Peter, thought of to be the primary pope, below the basillca’s fundamental altar.
He was then introduced with the 2 most vital symbols of the papacy – the lambswool stole, often known as the pallium, and the fisherman’s ring.
Picture:
The pope receives the lambswool stole, an emblem of the papacy, in the course of the inauguration. Pic: AP
Picture:
The pope kisses the altar. Pic: AP
Picture:
The pope wears the fisherman’s ring amid the inauguration. Pic: AP
Picture:
Cardinals attend the inaugural mass. Pic: AP
The pallium was draped throughout his shoulders and symbolises the pastor carrying his flock because the pope carries the devoted.
The ring, which is now the pope’s official seal, is a nod to Jesus’s name to Peter the apostle to forged his fishing web.
Picture:
A member of the gang shows the Peruvian flag. Pic: AP
Picture:
Ethan Menning, 21, from Nebraska, draped within the US flag forward of the inauguration. Pic: AP
Leo started the day by driving by way of adoring crowds on his “popemobile”.
There have been cries of “Viva Il Papa” – that means “long live the pope” – as US and Peruvian flags have been waved.
Picture:
The clergy stroll by way of St Peter’s Sq.. Pic: Reuters
The Pope stopped to raise a child handed to him by his household – and positioned his hand on the pinnacle of one other.
Vatican Metropolis authorities have been anticipating 250,000 folks, with massive screens erected at varied factors to permit worshippers to observe the proceedings.
