IN PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV celebrates inauguration Mass

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Up to 200,000 people attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration Mass at the Vatican, including world leaders and royalty

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Leo XIV, the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, marked the start of his pontificate with an inauguration Mass on Sunday, May 18.

Up to 200,000 people attended the Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, including world leaders and royalty.

Below are some scenes before, during, and after the Mass.

WARM WELCOME. Pope Leo XIV arrives on the popemobile for his inaugural Mass at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

TENDER MOMENT. Pope Leo XIV blesses a child as he arrives on the popemobile for his inaugural Mass at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Yara Nardi/Reuters

MASSIVE CROWD. A general view of Saint Peter’s Square as Pope Leo XIV holds his inaugural Mass at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

POPE FROM CHICAGO. Faithful hold up a US flag in Saint Peter’s Square on the day of Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters

DIGNITARIES. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Vice President JD Vance, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand among other dignitaries during the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

BLESSING. Pope Leo XIV blesses the faithful during his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

CARDINALS. Members of the clergy attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Saint Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo hy Remo Casilli/Reuters

PALLIUM. Pope Leo XIV receives the pallium during his inaugural Mass at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

FILIPINO PRELATE. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

FISHERMAN’S RING. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle places the Ring of the Fisherman on the finger of Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Reuters

PRIESTS. Members of the clergy attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Saint Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

PONTIFF WAVES. Pope Leo XIV gestures at the end of his inaugural Mass in Saint Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

CHICLAYO ‘PRESENT.’ A person holds the Peruvian flag after Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass at the Vatican, as seen from Rome, Italy, May 18, 2025. Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters

VANCE. Pope Leo XIV greets US Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance in Saint Peter’s Basilica, following his inaugural Mass, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

ZELENSKYY. Pope Leo XIV greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Saint Peter’s Basilica, following his inaugural Mass, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025. Photo by Claudia Greco/Reuters

– Rappler.com