Pope Leo XIV, newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church, celebrated his first major Mass on Friday in the Sistine Chapel, just one day after being chosen as the successor to Pope Francis.
The U.S.-born pope, who also holds Peruvian citizenship, led the service in the iconic chapel of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, where the conclave of cardinals had convened to elect him.
He was accompanied by fellow cardinals, entering the chapel to hymns while clad in a white papal robe and traditional mitre. Notably, he wore dark shoes rather than the customary red ones, a choice also made by his predecessor.
The cardinals present were dressed in ceremonial white robes adorned with gold details, adding to the solemnity of the occasion.
Pope Leo XIV now assumes leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
His first public prayer, the Regina Coeli, is expected to take place at midday on Sunday from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
AFRIPOST reports that on Thursday, tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square to witness the traditional white smoke that signaled the successful election of the new pope, greeting him with thunderous applause as he made his debut appearance.