Pope Leo XIV's Inauguration: A Ceremony of Unity and Diversity

Vatican City hosted the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on May 18, 2025. The ceremony, attended by over 100,000 people and 156 international delegations, began with a prayer at the tomb of St. Peter. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presented the Pope with the Fisherman's Ring, a moment captured on video showing the Pope's visible emotion. In his address, Pope Leo XIV called for a Church that embraces diversity, quoting St. Augustine's call for unity among those who love their neighbors. The event was rich in symbolism and lasted over two and a half hours, concluding with the Pope's departure in the papamobile. The global representation highlighted the significance of this event for the Catholic Church and the world.