Rite of Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Saint Peter's statue by Giuseppe De Fabris, in St Peter's Square. Wiki Image by Raffaele Pagani

Source: Vatican Media

On Sunday morning, Pope Leo's Petrine Ministry as Bishop of Rome will be solemnly inaugurated. This will take place in St Peter's Square at 9am (BST) The liturgy will begin with Pope Leo praying silently before the tomb of Saint Peter. He will then move in procession with the Cardinals and others to Saint Peter Square where he will begin the celebration of Holy Mass.

He will bless water and sprinkle the gathered faithful with it. Mass will continue as usual up to the Gospel. On this occasion, the gospel will be sung in Latin and then sung in Greek.

Once the Gospel has been proclaimed, a Cardinal will place the Pallium on the Pope's shoulders. This vestment is made of lamb's wool and serves as a reminder to the Holy Father, that he is the Shepherd of the flock and must be ready to carry the weakest of lambs on his shoulders.

This vestment has five crosses woven into it. These remind us of the wounds of Christ. Three symbolic pins are placed on three of the crosses reminding us of the precious nails that pierced the body of the Lord Jesus.

Another Cardinal will then place the Fisherman's Ring on the Popes right ring finger. When a bishop is consecrated, he receives a ring. The ordaining Bishop says these words while placing the ring on the new bishop's finger: "Receive this ring, the seal of Fidelity: adorned with undefiled faith, preserve unblemished the bride of God, the Holy Church."

The ring is also a sign of authenticity since it bears the imprint of the Popes seal. When the Pope dies or ceases to be Pope the ring is ceremonially destroyed so that it cannot be used fraudulently.

The Rite of inauguration will end by Pope Leo solemnly blessing the gathered faithful silently with the Book of the Gospels. The new Pope will then preach the homily and Mass will continue as usual.

In the past, Popes were solemnly crowned on the balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. Saint Paul VI was the last Pope to be crowned in 1963.

We continue to keep in our prayers, Pope Leo. May the Good Lord grant him all the graces he needs in his new Petrine Ministry.

Watch the Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on the Vatican Media Youtube channel:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEM7a3mHMR4