Leo's First Mass

An estimated 200,000 onlookers flocked to the Vatican yesterday to hear newly installed Pope Leo XIV preside over his first Mass. The pontiff’s first homily called for unity and openness from the church and its nearly 1.4 billion members (watch here).

Born Robert Prevost, the 69-year-old Chicago native became the first US citizen to become pope after being selected to succeed Pope Francis earlier this month (see overview). While popes often oversee Sunday service (and other private and public ceremonies), Pope Leo's inaugural Mass was attended by a number of world dignitaries, including Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Britain's Prince Edward.

He was also presented with two symbolic items. The first is a fisherman's ring, honoring St. Peter and reflecting the call to evangelism; the second is a pallium, a strip of lamb's wool representing the role of a "shepherd" of the church's flock.