Latest news with #VaticanPressOffice
18-05-2025
- General
Pope Leo XIV tours St. Peter's Square in popemobile ahead of inaugural Sunday mass
An open-topped popemobile carrying Pope Leo XIV drove on Sunday morning through St Peter's Square at the Vatican, where thousands have gathered ahead of the newly elected American pontiff's inaugural mass. The mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, will begin in Vatican City on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time, the Vatican Press Office said. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV to lead inaugural mass Sunday — with tens of thousands expected to attend
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV will lead his inaugural mass Sunday — with tens of thousands expected to bear witness to the occasion, including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The mass, which will get underway at 4 a.m. New York time, 10 a.m. local, in St. Peter's Basilica and Square in Vatican City, will formally install the first pontiff from the United States as the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. During the liturgy, the pope is set to be presented with a new 'Ring of the Fisherman' — a gold signet ring designed specially for a newly elected pontiff, the Vatican Press Office said. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first ever American pontiff, will lead his inaugural mass Sunday. AP He will also be draped in a new ceremonial-type garment known as a Petrine Pallium, which is meant to signify him carrying the responsibility of shepherding the entire church on his shoulders. Tens of thousands are expected to flock to Vatican City for the grand occasion, while scores of world leaders are slated to be inside the Basilica for the mass. Vice President Vance will lead the US delegation, which will also include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, and a host of other members of Congress. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who infamously clashed with Vance during their White House sit-down in February, is expected to be among the notable world leaders in attendance. A Zelensky aide said earlier this week the Ukrainian president would be happy to meet other leaders on the sidelines of the mass after Pope Leo vowed to personally make 'every effort' to help end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky, for his part, held face-to-face talks with President Trump in St. Peter's Basilica when they both attended Pope Francis' funeral last month. Rubio on Saturday signaled the Vatican could be a venue for peace talks. Speaking to reporters in Rome before sitting down with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican point man for Ukraine, Rubio said he wanted to find potential ways the Vatican could help with a 'path forward.' Asked if the Vatican could be a peace broker, Rubio responded: 'I wouldn't call it broker, but it's certainly — I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going.' 'So we'll talk about all of that and obviously always grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play this constructive and positive role,' he added. Among other leaders expected on Sunday are the presidents of Israel, Peru and Nigeria, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula Von der Layen. Many European royals will also be present, including Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Russia will be represented by Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, the Vatican said. With Post wires
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pope Leo XIV to lead inaugural mass Sunday, thousands expected to gather
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, will lead his inaugural mass on Sunday, according to the Vatican. The mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, will begin in Vatican City on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), the Vatican Press Office said. Before the start of the mass, Leo will wave to the tens of thousands of people expected to be in the crowds, according to officials. The mass, which will be held in St. Peter's Basilica, will begin by the tomb of St. Peter, according to Vatican officials. During the mass, the Petrine Pallium and Fisherman's Ring will also be presented to Leo, the press office said. The Pallium -- a narrow Y-shaped band woven in white and decorated with two black pendants, six black crosses and three pins representing Christ's crucifixion -- signifies the pontiff carrying on his shoulders the responsibility of shepherding the church. The Fisherman's Ring, a gold signet ring, symbolizes the new pope's role as the successor of St. Peter, a fisherman who is considered to be the first leader of the church, according to the Vatican Press Office. The ring signifies the beginning and the end of a pope's authority, with Francis' ring ceremonially broken after his death. Catholics who meet the pope traditionally kiss the ring to demonstrate both their respect for the pontiff and their devotion to the church. MORE: What we know about Leo XIV, the new American pope Leo will then deliver a homily, followed by a prayer, called the Regina Caeli, according to the Vatican. The event is expected to be approximately over two hours, officials said. After the Regina Caeli, Leo is expected to greet delegations and guests, the Vatican said. Among the guests expected in attendance are Vice President JD Vance, wife Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. MORE: Destined to be pope: Brother says Leo XIV always wanted to be a priest Leo, formally Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the 267th pontiff on May 8. The Chicago native is the successor of Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Leo started to emerge as a front-runner for the papacy in the days before the start of the conclave, according to the Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News. The new pontiff was the only U.S. cardinal on a short list of potential candidates for pope, also known as "papabiles," compiled in the aftermath of Francis' death by The Associated Press. ABC News' Phoebe Natanson and Christopher Watson contributed to this report. Pope Leo XIV to lead inaugural mass Sunday, thousands expected to gather originally appeared on
17-05-2025
- General
Pope Leo XIV to lead inaugural mass Sunday, thousands expected to gather
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, will lead his inaugural mass on Sunday, according to the Vatican. The mass, called the Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, will begin in Vatican City on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. ET), the Vatican Press Office said. Before the start of the mass, Leo will wave to the tens of thousands of people expected to be in the crowds, according to officials. The mass, which will be held in St. Peter's Basilica, will begin by the tomb of St. Peter, according to Vatican officials. During the mass, the Petrine Pallium and Fisherman's Ring will also be presented to Leo, the press office said. The Pallium -- a narrow Y-shaped band woven in white and decorated with two black pendants, six black crosses and three pins representing Christ's crucifixion -- signifies the pontiff carrying on his shoulders the responsibility of shepherding the church. The Fisherman's Ring, a gold signet ring, symbolizes the new pope's role as the successor of St. Peter, a fisherman who is considered to be the first leader of the church, according to the Vatican Press Office. The ring signifies the beginning and the end of a pope's authority, with Francis' ring ceremonially broken after his death. Catholics who meet the pope traditionally kiss the ring to demonstrate both their respect for the pontiff and their devotion to the church. Leo will then deliver a homily, followed by a prayer, called the Regina Caeli, according to the Vatican. The event is expected to be approximately over two hours, officials said. After the Regina Caeli, Leo is expected to greet delegations and guests, the Vatican said. Among the guests expected in attendance are Vice President JD Vance, wife Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Leo, formally Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected the 267th pontiff on May 8. The Chicago native is the successor of Pope Francis, who died on April 21. Leo started to emerge as a front-runner for the papacy in the days before the start of the conclave, according to the Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News. The new pontiff was the only U.S. cardinal on a short list of potential candidates for pope, also known as "papabiles," compiled in the aftermath of Francis' death by The Associated Press.
Fox News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Fox Producer and Veteran Journalist in Rome Reflects on Covering Pope Francis and Traveling on the Papal Plane
Courtney Walsh is an American who has lived in Rome for most of her adult life. She speaks Italian fluently, is married to an Italian, they have three children — one of which is getting married this summer in the Italian countryside — and for several decades, Walsh has covered the Vatican, reporting on the popes, traveling on the papal plane coordinating coverage for several networks. She is the consummate producer, the often-unsung hero, and the source of a plethora of inside information that other journalists rely on to do their jobs best. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Walsh reflects on Pope Francis, his death, his life, and what it's like working with the Vatican Press Office, covering one of the most historical events of modern day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
