Leo XIV takes charge as 267th Pope, world leaders attend function

VATICAN CITY: Leo XIV has formally taken charge as the 267th Pope. The ceremony to install him as the Pope of the global Catholic Church is underway in the Vatican. After praying at the tomb of Saint Peter, the procession to St Peter's Square began. The ceremony is taking place on the main stage of St Peter's Square. The Mass began in St Peter's Square under the patronage of Pope Leo XIV.

During the Mass, the Pope took over the leadership of the Church as the successor of Saint Peter by receiving the robes and rings of the great shepherd. Leo XIV is the first American to become Pope. US Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the ceremony. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and thousands of believers witnessed the ceremony. The ceremony began at 1.30 pm Indian time today. The Vatican and nearby areas are under heavy security. Leo XIV said that God wants him to walk the path of love and that he did not become Pope because of his intelligence.

As the Mass opened, the Chicago-born pope said in Italian, ‘Peace be with you and your spirits.’ He later said the church must confront modern challenges while maintaining its traditions, and rejected what he called ‘religious propaganda’ and the misuse of power.