In brief
On May 18, 2025, St. Peter's Square welcomed an impressive array of global leaders for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, heralding the start of his papacy amidst a backdrop of international unity and diplomacy.
May 18, 2025, 5:16 a.m. ET – In a historic gathering, presidents, prime ministers, and members of royalty from around the world assembled in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV, signifying the commencement of his leadership over 1.4 billion Roman Catholics worldwide. Dignitaries in attendance included United States Vice President JD Vance alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who noted Pope Leo's American roots and expressed support despite previous critiques from a social media account linked to the pontiff. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky reported a “warm and substantial” conversation with the pope last week, discussing peace proposals for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pope Leo has offered the Vatican as a venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Representing Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed eagerness to collaborate with Pope Leo on initiatives grounded in solidarity and sustainability, while Peru's President Dina Boluarte celebrated the pope's deep connection to her nation, highlighting his enduring support for those in need. Italian leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, pledged to align their efforts with the Vatican, focusing on ethical issues such as the development of artificial intelligence, while also expressing their endorsement of the new pope's spiritual legacy. The event, attended by a multitude of world leaders, reaffirmed the global community's commitment to various critical issues, setting a hopeful tone for future cooperation with the new papacy. Among those present were notable leaders from Australia, Belgium, the European Union, France, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom, encapsulating a moment of international unity at the Vatican's heart.
