The inauguration mass of the new Pope Leo XIV will be held on the 18th at 10 a.m. local time (5 p.m. Korean time) in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
This marks the moment the first American-born pope in Catholicism's 2,000-year history officially begins his term.
According to the Times of London on the 14th, on the day of the inauguration mass, Pope Leo XIV will first pay his respects at the tomb of St. Peter, the first Pope, buried beneath St. Peter's Basilica. This is a symbolic ritual of succeeding the papacy.
Following this, in the presence of the College of Cardinals, he will march from the basilica to the square as the 'Hymn of the Saints' and the ancient hymn 'Christ the King' (Laudes Regiae) resonate.
During the mass, Pope Leo XIV will wear the two symbols of papal authority: the 'pallium,' a white woolen stole worn over the shoulders, and the 'Fisherman's Ring.'
The pallium is handmade by the nuns of the Santa Cecilia Monastery in Trastevere. The red crosses embroidered on the front, back, and sides represent the five wounds (stigmata) of Christ. The wool symbolizes the good shepherd seeking the lost sheep.
'The Fisherman's Ring' derives from Jesus telling Peter, 'I will make you a fisher of people.' This ring symbolizes the papal mission. If a Pope who wears this ring passes away, the ring is also destroyed.
The previous Pope Francis emphasized simplicity and chose a gold-plated silver ring. There is interest in how the inauguration mass of Leo XIV, which values tradition and formality, will unfold.
During the mass, a delegation of 12 representatives symbolizing the 12 apostles will pledge obedience before the Pope. This includes 3 cardinals, 1 bishop, 1 priest, 1 deacon, the head of each male and female religious order, 1 couple, 1 boy, and 1 girl, representing the entire church.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to announce a new pastoral direction through the homily during the mass. As he emphasized, 'May peace be with all of you,' during his first greeting on the 8th, it is anticipated that the message will focus on world peace.
Following this, the Eucharistic prayers, thanksgiving prayers, and communion rites will take place, culminating in the 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing, which means 'to the city and to the world' in Latin. The entire mass is expected to last 2 to 3 hours.
More than 200 representatives from governments around the world and various religious leaders will attend this inauguration mass.
As of now, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, Prince Edward of the United Kingdom, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Javier Milei, President of Argentina, and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, have confirmed their attendance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend.
In Korea, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Bishop Lee Yong-hoon (Chairman of the Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference), Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek (Archbishop of Seoul), and Father Song Young-min (Secretary of the Bishops' Conference) will be in attendance. There are also plans for Cardinal Yoo Hong-sik, who participated in the papal conclave, and Monsignor Jeong Yeon-jeong to join.
Local media expect about 250,000 people to gather. The Rome police are establishing a large-scale security plan, mobilizing around 5,000 police officers, snipers, drone defense systems, and helicopters.