Pope Leo XIV to Hold Inaugural Mass in Sistine Chapel After Becoming the First U.S. Pontiff
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, leads his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church.
- Pope Leo XIV becomes the first U.S. pontiff in history
- He will lead his inaugural Mass in the iconic chapel
- His papacy will address both reform and ongoing controversies in the Church
Pope Leo XIV is set to lead Mass in the Sistine Chapel at 11:00 AM local time (09:00 GMT, 10:00 BST), just one day after being elected the 266th leader of the Catholic Church.
World leaders have flocked to offer their congratulations to the newly elected pope, who makes history as the first North American to ascend to the papacy.
Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, the new pope’s journey to the Vatican has been marked by his dedication as a missionary in Peru, before being appointed Archbishop there.
A reformer at heart, Pope Leo XIV’s election signals a new era for the Catholic Church. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the historic moment, calling it a “great honor” to have a pope from the United States.
In Peru, where Pope Leo XIV spent many years serving the faithful, the news is met with pride.
However, his papacy will also face scrutiny, as he must address lingering allegations of a cover-up of sexual abuse cases—a challenge that could shape his tenure.
