Everything Pope Leo XIV will receive during his inauguration ceremony
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, will be officially inaugurated on **May 18** in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. Tens of thousands are expected to attend the ceremony, which begins at **10 AM local time**. The former Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected after Pope Francis’s passing, and while he has already delivered his first Mass, this event marks his formal installation. He is likely to arrive in the **popemobile**, greeting crowds in a white papal robe, possibly engaging in symbolic gestures like kissing a baby—similar to his predecessor.
During the ceremony, Pope Leo will receive two key symbols of papal authority: the **Fisherman’s Ring**, a golden ring bearing his name, and the **pallium**, a white lambswool vestment. High-profile attendees include **U.S. Vice President JD Vance** and **Prince Edward**, representing the UK. Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelenskyy** is also expected, though it’s unclear if UK Labour leader **Keir Starmer** will attend. The event underscores Pope Leo’s historic role as the first pontiff from the U.S.
