Pope Leo XIV ’s inauguration Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter’s Square and Basilica is a ritual filled with symbolism that connects back to Peter, Jesus’ apostle, and his special mission as head of the Catholic Church.
No new role is conferred — the pontiff is already the head of the Vatican and of the faith counting some 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, tens of thousands of whom are expected to gather in the square alongside government representatives.
