Presidents, prime ministers and royalty were among those present in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday morning for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, a service that marks the official start of his pontificate.
Here are some of the world leaders who have flown to Rome to attend the Mass that installs Pope Leo as the leader of 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.
United States
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Mr. Vance and President Trump have congratulated Pope Leo and celebrated his American heritage, but it’s unclear what kind of a relationship they might have with him. In February, months before Cardinal Prevost was named pontiff, a social media account under his name expressed some criticism of the vice president over his interpretation of Catholic doctrine.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky
Leo spoke with Mr. Zelensky last week in his first known call with a foreign leader. They discussed cease-fire proposals for the war in Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky said on social media, describing the conversation as “very warm and truly substantial.” On Friday, Pope Leo offered to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican.
Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Mr. Carney is a Catholic but was unable to attend Pope Francis’ funeral because it occurred two days before Canada’s general election, the Canadian news media reported. “Canada looks forward to working with His Holiness to build a world guided by solidarity, justice, and sustainability,” Mr. Carney said shortly after the new pope was chosen.
Peru
President Dina Boluarte
Ms. Boluarte led a delegation from the country where Pope Leo spent much of his career and where he holds citizenship. She has celebrated the pope’s ties to Peru. “His closeness to those most in need left an indelible mark on the heart of Peru,” she wrote on social media when he was elected.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella
Ms. Meloni has lauded Leo’s “spiritual legacy that follows the path traced by Pope Francis.” In a phone call with Leo on Thursday, she affirmed support for the Vatican’s peace efforts and Italy’s commitment to working with the Vatican on the ethical development of A.I., the Italian government said.
Other leaders
These were some of the other leaders the Vatican said were attending the Mass.
Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Belgium: Prime Minister Bart De Wever
European Union: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
France: Prime Minister François Bayrou
Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Israel: President Isaac Herzog
Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun
Lithuania: President Gitanas Nauseda
Netherlands: Queen Maxima, Prime Minister Dick Schoof
Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu
Portugal: President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
United Kingdom: Prince Edward
Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul who covers breaking news.
The post World Leaders Attend Pope Leo’s Inaugural Mass appeared first on New York Times.
