The inaugural mass for the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV has begun in the Vatican. The live broadcast is being carried out on various channels, including the Vatican News portal.
Before the beginning of the ritual, which began in the crypt of the Basilica “St. Peter“ at the tomb of the first pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth, Leo XIV rode in an open Mercedes car (“Popemobile“) through “St. Peter“s Square“ and the nearby Via Conciliazione. Thousands of believers and tourists gathered in the Vatican area. Roman authorities, who are providing security, expect the number of people gathered to reach 250,000. Among those gathered were many foreigners who had come to Rome for the Christian Jubilee Year celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church.
More than 150 delegations are also present in the square. The most numerous are Italian, from Peru, where the pontiff was a missionary for many years and received citizenship, and from the United States, where he is from (Chicago). Various Christian denominations are widely represented, starting with the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The central event will be the handover of the symbols of papal authority to Leo XIV: the “fisherman's ring“ and the pallium (a woolen ribbon embroidered with crosses). The “Fisherman's Ring“ symbolizes the succession of Saint Peter. It is depicted with keys on the outside. Inside is the name of the pope - Leo XIV, and also depicts elements of his coat of arms - a lily and a flaming heart, a symbol of his Augustinian order.
Observers note the excellent physical condition of the 69-year-old pontiff, who was elected on May 8 after the death of his predecessor Francis. Leo XIV, the first American pope, plays tennis and, while a cardinal, also visits a gym in Rome. Moreover, no one there, including his personal trainer, knew that he was a high-ranking hierarch of the Roman Catholic Church. There he was known simply as “Robert“.
Source: tass.ru