Pope Leo to be Installed May 18

Pope Leo XIV will be formally installed as the Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday, May 18, 2025 when he is expected to hold his inaugural public Mass at St. Peter's Square.

The first U.S-born pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, would also reportedly preside over his first general audience on May 21.

While Leo held the first Mass of his papacy in the Sistine Chapel on Friday morning, being May 9, 2025, the day after his election, that service was for the cardinals of the Catholic Church and was not open to the public.

During the papal inauguration, a Mass is celebrated before political and religious leaders from around the world.

However, while world leaders are typically invited to attend the Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate, most nations may decide to send official delegations rather than heads of State.

FN Blog