Pope Leo XIV officially began his pontificate with a grand mass in St. Peter’s Square, where he received the Palio and the Fisherman’s Ring—symbols of papal authority and spiritual mission.
The second Pope from the Americas, Leo XIV was born in Chicago but has deep ties to Latin America, especially Peru. In his first address, he spoke in Spanish and warmly thanked the community of Chiclayo, where he spent formative years serving the Church.
As his leadership begins, many wonder whether he will follow the inclusive path of Pope Francis. Only time will tell how his papacy unfolds.
