First Mass of Prevost as Pope Leo XIV to Take Place on Friday

Hardly elected and already in full action: A busy schedule awaits the North American Robert Francis Prevost, who was surprisingly elected as the new Pope on Thursday. Leo XIV will celebrate his first mass as Pope with the cardinals on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the Sistine Chapel, as the Vatican announced.

First Mass of Pope Leo XIV Public

In the Sistine Chapel, the 69-year-old was appointed on Thursday among more than 130 cardinals as the successor to the late Francis. Congratulations for the first Pope from the USA came from all over the world. Unlike the conclave, the public is now allowed again in the Sistine Chapel for the mass.

On Sunday, he will say the Regina Coeli prayer, the prayer for the time after Easter, from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica at 12:00 p.m. On Monday, Robert Francis Prevost will traditionally meet with media representatives for an audience at 10:00 a.m. in the Paul VI Hall.

Question Marks After Pope Election Present

It was still unclear when the mass for the beginning of the pontificate will take place. It is suspected that the large mass on St. Peter's Square, attended by heads of state and government from around the world, will be celebrated in the middle of next week. The mass for the beginning of Pope Francis's pontificate took place in March 2013, six days after his election.

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV returned to the Palace of the Holy Office on Thursday evening, where he has lived since 2023. He greeted the people in the courtyard, had his photo taken with them, and gave them all a blessing at the end. It is still unclear where the new Pope will reside.

(APA/Red)

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