Leo XIV holds back tears as he receives Pope's ring

Yahoo

18-05-2025

Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV fought back tears during his inaugural mass as he was handed the ring that formally marked the beginning of his papacy.
The pontiff appeared to choke up as Cardinal Luigi Tagle slipped the Fisherman's Ring onto his finger before the estimated 250,000-strong crowd gathered in the Vatican's St Peter's Square.
World leaders travelled from across the globe to witness the historic moment, among them Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, and JD Vance, the US vice-president, in their first meeting since a fiery Oval Office clash in February.
Setting the tone for his papacy, Pope Leo used his first homily to speak up for the climate and the poor.
'In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest,' he said.
The Fisherman's Ring authenticates the Pope's role as the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide and was named in honour of Saint Peter, the first pope, who was a fisherman by trade.
The pontiff will spend the remainder of his day meeting with delegates from around 200 countries, before holding a private audience with Mr Zelensky, in what the Ukrainian delegation will hope signals a papacy sympathetic to Kyiv's cause.
During his final Regina Coeli prayer, marking the end of the service, the Pope addressed a number of global conflicts.
He said: 'The martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen.'
The pontiff then noted that 'in Gaza, children, families and elderly survivors are reduced to hunger', before adding that 'in Myanmar, new hostilities have destroyed innocent young lives'.
The presidents of Peru, Nigeria and Israel were present for the two-hour ceremony, alongside the prime ministers of Canada, Australia and Italy, as well as Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, and many European royals.
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who was representing the King, were among attendees.
St Peter's Square was transformed with a rich display of ancient religious rites including the draping of a white, woollen pallium vestment symbolising the Pope as a good shepherd.
Ancient hymns filled the air and the Gospels were read in both Latin and Greek, symbolising unity between the western and eastern churches.
'Papa bueno, bueno,' gushed one elderly Peruvian in the crowd, giving a thumb-up sign when asked what he thought.
'I know many people who have known Pope Leo for years and they all say is very calm and centered,' Cathleen Falsani told The Telegraph. Ms Falsani, a veteran writer on religion, was covering the inauguration for the pontiff's hometown newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times.
She added: 'Given all the relentless political shock and awe happening in the US right now, well he is the antidote to that, and I think his super calm, midwestern, salt-of-the-earth presence is being well received.'
Thanks for following our liveblog today on the Pope's inaugural mass. Here is a summary of the day's main events:
Pope Leo XIV has delivered his inaugural mass to an estimated 250,000 people gathered in the Vatican's St Peter's Square in what marked the official beginning of his papacy.
The service was attended by world leaders including Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president; JD Vance, the US vice-president; Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state; Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister; Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister; and Britain's the Duke of Edinburgh.
The pontiff will hold a private audience with Mr Zelensky later this afternoon, the Vatican has said, after the pontiff called for a 'just and lasting peace' in 'a martyred Ukraine' during his final prayer.
Mr Zelensky and Mr Vance shook hands with the eyes of the world upon them in their first meeting since their fiery Oval Office clash in February.
The Pope fought back tears as he was presented with the symbolic Fisherman's Ring by Cardinal Luis Tagle and used his inaugural homily to speak about the climate and the poor.
That's it for today. You can find more of our coverage on the new Pope here.
Pope Leo's inaugural mass as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics has now ended.
The pontiff will spend the remainder of his day meeting with delegates from around 200 countries, who travelled to the Vatican to witness the historic service.
The Vatican has confirmed the Pope will hold a private audience with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, this afternoon, in what his delegation will hope could signal a papacy sympathetic to Kyiv's cause.
Pope Leo will have to toe a difficult line during discussions about Ukraine, one that left his predecessor facing criticism for being soft on Russia.
With Francis battling to balance papal neutrality with calls for peace, the late pope made several comments that left Ukrainians feeling frustrated with the Vatican – from encouraging Ukraine to 'have the courage of the white flag' in negotiations to calling Ukrainians and Russians 'brothers'.
Pope Leo now has the unenviable task of trying to navigate future discourse around the war with all the impartiality of a religious leader but diplomatic tact of a man striving for peace.
JD Vance has met the Pope after his inaugural mass in the Vatican's St Peter's Square.
The US vice-president was among a line of dignitaries queuing to shake hands with the pontiff once the service had ended.
Pope Leo XIV used his Regina Coeli prayer at the end of the mass to not only call for peace in Ukraine but to address conflicts in Gaza and Myanmar.
The pontiff noted that 'in Gaza, children, families and elderly survivors are reduced to hunger' before adding that 'in Myanmar, new hostilities have destroyed innocent young lives'.
Pope Leo XIV will hold an audience with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, after his inaugural mass, the Vatican said in a statement.
The new Catholic leader referred to the Ukraine-Russian conflict in his Regina Coeli prayer at the end of the mass, saying: 'The martyred Ukraine is waiting for negotiations for a just and lasting peace to finally happen.'
Pope Leo XIV made his debut tour of St Peter's Square on Sunday in his popemobile, greeting tens of thousands of pilgrims and well-wishers ahead of his inauguration mass.
Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, who became head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics on May 8, stood in the white vehicle as it drove through cheering crowds, smiling, waving and making the sign of the cross.
From Telegraph correspondent Andrea Vogt in St. Peter's Square
Before the mass began, Mr Vance and Volodymr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who was also in attendance with his wife, Olena Zelenska, briefly greeted one other, shaking hands.
It was a strikingly different atmosphere from their last bristly encounter at the White House in February, when Mr Vance branded the Ukrainian president 'disrespectful' and said he 'had not shown enough deference to Donald Trump'.
From Telegraph correspondent Andrea Vogt in St. Peter's Square
Pope Leo has finished his fairly short homily with the message 'this is the hour for love.'
The square is filled with colour and ancient harmonies – a spectacular ritual.
Pope Leo warns we must learn to move beyond our differences in a way that values 'the social and religious culture of every people'.
The pontiff's words could be considered particualrly impactful as several global leaders are gathered in the crowd listening on.
He said: 'This is the missionary spirit that must animate us, not closing ourselves off in our small groups nor feeling superior to the world.
'We are called to offer god's love to everyone in order to achieve that university that does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.'
The Pope has called on those gathered to 'build a new world where peace reigns' during his homily.
The pontiff also seized the moment to offer a rare critique on the economy, saying it 'exploits the earth's resources and marginalises the poorest'.
Pope Leo continued: 'We want to say to the world with humility and joy look to Christ come closer to him. Welcome his world that enlightens and consoles. Listen to his offer of love and become his one family in the one Christ, we are one.
'This is the path to follow together, among ourselves, but also with our sister Christian churches, with those who follow other religious paths, with those who are searching for God. With all women and men of goodwill in order to build a new world where peace reigns.'
From Telegraph correspondent Andrea Vogt in St. Peter's Square
Readings have been given in both Spanish and English. The gospel is being read in both Greek and Latin, meant to underscore the unity of the Church and remind the faithful that the Pope serves both Latin Catholics – Latin is the language of the Roman rite – and Eastern Catholics (Greek).
It is a poignant reminder of just how ancient these rituals are. The pontiff has received the pallium, a woollen vestment framed over his shoulders, which is a symbol of his pastoral authority – the Pope as a good shepherd – and is now receiving the gold fisherman ring, in honour of St Peter, a fisherman who was the first pope.
The Pope smiled warmly and seemed to be visibly moved when the ring was put on his finger. He then patted his heart to thank the audience for their applause.
The Pope has said there are 'too many wounds caused by hatred' in the world in his inaugural mass.
The pontiff told those gathered: 'Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire, be for a united Church. A sign of unity and communion, which becomes a level for a reconciled world.
'In this time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference.'
He said the Catholic Church sought to be a source of 'unity, communion nd fraternity within the world'.
Pope Leo has used his initial address to spread a message of 'love and unity' as entrusted to Saint Peter, the first pope, by Jesus.
He told the 250,000-strong crowd 'I was chosen without any merit of my own and now with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy.'
He added that the 'Lord wants us to be united in one family' and that He 'never abandons his people' but 'guards them as a shepherd guards his flock'.
The Pope said he is addressing the some 250,000 people gathered for the inaugural mass with a 'heart full of gratitude'.
The pontiff added that while the death of Pope Francis 'filled our hearts with sadness', he had left a precious gift to his followers in his final blessing on Easter Sunday.
Senior members of the Catholic Church are now approaching the altar to greet the Pope in a show of their allegiance.
The process began with the Vatican's cardinals, who were ultimately responsible for Pope Leo being elected as pontiff during the conclave, before moving onto the wider Catholic community.
Luis Tagle, a Filipino cardinal who was himself considered a candidate for the papacy, has now taken to the altar for a reading.
Cardinal Tagle then placed the Fisherman's Ring, a symbol of unity, on Pope Leo's finger and the two shake hands warmly.
The ring was named in honour of Saint Peter, the first pope, who was a fisherman by trade.
Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, will represent King Charles at the inauguration, Buckingham Palace said.
Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Elena, is also in attendance. The Ukrainian president's top aide said Mr Zelensky hopes to hold talks with other world leaders during his visit to the Vatican, a decision likely to have been inspired by his successful meeting with Donald Trump at Pope Francis's funeral last month.
While the US president will not be in attendance this time around, JD Vance and his wife, Usha, will appear on the administration's behalf in what could mark the vice-president's first meeting with Mr Zelensky since the pair's fierce Oval Office clash in February.
Mr Vance's appearance is particularly notable as he was the last world leader to speak with the late Pope Francis, only hours before his death on Easter Monday.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state and a Catholic, will also attend.
Lastly, Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, has confirmed he will be among the world leaders at the mass and hopes the gathering coulf offer the opportunity for diplomatic talks.
Pope Leo XIV was the name taken by Robert Prevost, the first elected North American leader of the Catholic Church, last month in what many saw as a surprising and historic result.
Pope Leo, 69, has broken the long-held taboo that an American could never be pope – the thinking used to be that the US was the world's only superpower and had more than enough geopolitical influence, without taking over the papacy as well.
The appointment was welcomed by Donald Trump, the US president, who posted on social media at the time: 'I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!'
Pope Leo has become the 267th pontiff, after Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died on Easter Monday.
Pope Leo's inaugural mass is expected to draw a crowd of around 250,000 pilgrims, alongside a host of world leaders and royals, including JD Vance, the US vice-president, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, and Britain's Prince Edward.
Throngs of people have packed into the Vatican's St Peter's Square for the ceremony, which marks the official beginning of Pope Leo's papacy.
From Telegraph correspondent Andrea Vogt in St. Peter's Square
We have heard Pope Leo XIV's voice for the first time today as he makes the sign of the cross in Latin, saying 'In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.'
This is traditionally how popes begin the Eucharistic celebration during the Mass for the inauguration of his pontificate. He is now sprinkling holy water.
From Telegraph correspondent Andrea Vogt in St. Peter's Square
Pope Leo XIV has greeted enthusiastic crowds, smiling and waving from his white open air popemobile on a splendid spring morning in Rome as his inaugural service gets underway.
Many are watching on massive screens installed throughout St. Peter's Square. There are several delegations from the US and Latin America present.
'Papa bueno' said one Peruvian, giving a thumb's up as the Pope passed by.
'This is history in the making,' said Rob from Dallas, Texas. 'Our friends in Chicago are ecstatic!'
Giorgia Meloni has been spotted among those gathering for the official beginning of Pope Leo's papacy.
The Italian prime minister chatted with Sergio Mattarella, the Italian president, and Volodymyr Zelensky as they waited for the procession to move to the altar and the mass to get underway.
Volodymyr Zelensky is among the world leaders attending the mass.
The Ukrainian president arrived at the Vatican's St Peter's Square with his wife, Elena, in preparation for the ceremony, which started at 9am (UK time).
Hello and welcome to this live blog following Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass.
The ceremony will see the pontiff formally take up his role as the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and is set to be attended by leaders from across the globe.
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