Leo XIV has officially assumed the office of pope

A solemn mass was held in the Vatican to mark the enthronement of the new Pope Leo XIV - his official ascension to the Holy Throne. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska arrived at the ceremony. This is evidenced by the broadcast from the Vatican.

Before the inauguration began, the pontiff greeted the thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square at the Vatican as he drove past in a papomobile. The enthronement rite began at St Peter's tomb. The pope then arrived in St Peter's Square, where the inaugural Mass took place.

He was presented with two symbols of ministry: the Pallium (an element of the Pope's liturgical vestments made of lambs' wool) and the fisherman's ring (a signet ring attesting to St Peter's faith and mission: to confirm the brothers in the faith).

In his first speech, Leo XIV spoke about the unity of the Church and said that he wanted to serve the faithful through love and unity.

Recall, 8 May in the Vatican held a conclave at which the cardinals elected a new pontiff - he became Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. This is the first pope from the United States.

Robert Francis Prevost was born on 14 September 1955 in Chicago. In June 1982, he received the sacred ministry. In September 2023 he became a cardinal. From then until February of this year he was Cardinal-Deacon with the titular diaconate of Santa Monica, and then Cardinal-Bishop of Albano.