Pope Leo XIV toured St Peter’s Square in the popemobile on Sunday, waving to tens of thousands of pilgrims and dignitaries ahead of his formal installation as head of the Catholic Church.
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the first American pope following his election on 8 May. Flags from the United States, Peru and the Vatican filled the square as crowds chanted “Viva il Papa” while the new pontiff stood and blessed the faithful from the white, open-top Mercedes G-Wagon.
