LIVE VIDEO Pope Leo XIV’s enthronement: Mass in St. Peter’s and leaders from all over the world

Solemn Mass and Regina Coeli in St. Peter’s Square for the beginning of the pontificate. troductionll verbeginning Prominent institutional presences and reinforced security measures.

It is the day of the official enthronement of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, at the head of the Catholic Church. On Sunday 18 May, between St Peter’s Square and the Vatican Basilica, the solemn rite was celebrated with which the Pontiff officially took possession of his Petrine ministry, in front of a crowd of faithful and institutional delegations from all over the world.

From the early hours of the morning, thousands of people began to flow towards St Peter’s Square, reaching it from Via della Conciliazione, Via Ottaviano and the Lungotevere. Among them families, religious and pilgrims with flags and symbols of their spiritual and national affiliation.

According to the programme released by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, at 9 a.m. Pope Prevost will tour the square in his popemobile to greet those present. The pontificate inauguration mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., at the end of which he will lead the Regina Coeli from the Basilica’s parvis.

The ceremony will be attended by numerous international dignitaries. For the United States, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be present, accompanied by their respective spouses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with his wife Olena Zelenska, leads the Ukrainian delegation also composed of Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

The European Union is represented by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while Germany is present with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Also expected are French Prime Minister François Bayrou, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will be accompanied by the first lady.

The European monarchies will also pay homage to the new Pope: in the front row King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Prince Edward for the United Kingdom and the Belgian royals, Philip and Mathilde.

On the organisational front, Rome has set up a security apparatus similar to that used for the funeral of Pope Francis. ‘We will replicate exactly the same model,’ said mayor Roberto Gualtieri, “with a massive deployment of police, local police, civil protection and stewards to ensure an orderly and safe influx. Maxi screens have been installed at the nerve centres of the area to allow a wide view of the celebration, avoiding excessive crowds.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)