The Vatican has officially announced that the inauguration mass for the newly elected Pope Leo XIV will be held on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square.
SundiataPost reports that the event is expected to draw numerous global and religious leaders.
Following the mass, Pope Leo will meet with journalists on Monday and will hold an audience with diplomats accredited to the Holy See the following Friday, the Vatican revealed.
The Pope’s first general audience is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, while a meeting with top Vatican officials, known as the Roman Curia, will take place on May 24.
It will be recalled that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected on Thursday as the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
Originally from Chicago, Prevost was brought to Rome in 2023 by Pope Francis to lead the influential Vatican office responsible for appointing bishops across the globe.
Although American by birth, the 69-year-old has spent most of his religious life in Peru, where he gained citizenship in 2015 and served as bishop and then archbishop of Chiclayo. His strong Latin American ties have helped reduce traditional resistance to an American pope, often avoided due to the U.S.’s political dominance.
Known for his humble demeanor and Augustinian roots, Prevost has maintained a low profile since arriving in Rome, despite his growing influence. He was twice elected as head of the Augustinian order, and Pope Francis later appointed him to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and to oversee bishop nominations — one of the Church’s most vital roles.
