Pope Leo Uses Popemobile Before Mass for Inauguration

Pope Leo XIV will drive across St. Peter's Square in the Popemobile early Sunday before the start of the mass for the beginning of his pontificate. He will greet the faithful gathered on the square, as Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni reported on Friday. St. Peter's Square will open at 6:00 a.m., and the mass, attended by around 200 delegations, will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Pope to Say Midday Prayer

At the end of the mass, the Pope will say the Regina Coeli, the midday prayer for the Easter season, on St. Peter's Square. Afterwards, he will greet the delegations in St. Peter's Basilica. The delegation members will be seated on the right side of the square, as was the case at the funeral of Pope Francis. Italy, the USA, and Peru will have priority in the seating arrangement. Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the USA in the history of the church. He has lived in Peru for a long time and holds citizenship of that country.

J.D. Vance at the Pope?

The Vatican views the mass for the inauguration of the new Pope on Sunday as an opportunity for high-level diplomatic contacts. It is not ruled out that Robert Francis Prevost, the first North American Pope in church history, will receive Deputy US President J.D. Vance, who is leading the US delegation at the mass on St. Peter's Square. Austria will be represented by a delegation headed by Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP).

Several delegations have registered to visit the grave of Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday. Security measures around the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore near the main train station Termini have been tightened for this reason.

Thousands of Security Forces

Strictest security measures are being taken in Rome in view of the arrival of many delegations. Over 4,000 security forces will be deployed in the Italian capital.

(APA/Red)

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