Pope Leo XIV officially inaugurated

The inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV took place at St. Peter's Square (Vatican) on the afternoon of May 18 (Vietnam time).

An estimated 200,000 people were present at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV . Many world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,... along with members of royal families and many believers around the world attended.

The inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV took place in St. Peter's Square (Vatican) on May 18. Photo: Getty.

The inauguration ceremony of the new Pope included the conferment of the official symbols of the papacy on Pope Leo XIV, the Pallium and the Fisherman's Ring.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presents the Fisherman's Ring to Pope Leo XIV. Photo: Getty.

In his inaugural sermon, Pope Leo XIV said he began his term “with a heart full of gratitude.”

"I was not chosen for any merit. With humility I come to you as one of you. I wish to walk with you on the path of God's love. Let us build a Church founded on God's love," the Pope said.

"In our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, fear of differences and an economic model that exploits the Earth's resources, leaving the poorest on the margins," the Pope continued, calling on everyone to abandon hatred and division.

"Come towards God and love one another," said Pope Leo XIV.

He also thanked the participation of people, diplomatic missions and church members around the world.

Previously, on the second day of the Cardinal Conclave, the chimney of the Sistine Chapel emitted white smoke at 6:00 p.m. on May 8 (11:00 p.m. Hanoi time), signaling that the Catholic Church had a new Pope.

According to the official announcement of the Vatican, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the new Pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost is the first American Pope in history. He will take the name Leo XIV.

>>> Readers are invited to watch the video: White smoke rising from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel signals that the Conclave of Cardinals has chosen a new Pope.